AUTUMN 2007

The Newsletter for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust

grateful wife has paid tribute to the car-borne paramedic who saved “He had been poorly the night before but now I could see him deteriorating her husband’s life. in front of me as I dialed 999. Carpet-fitter David Hurley had a heart attack at his home in “I put the phone down and told one of my sons to go outside and look for APentrebane, , but paramedic Robin Petterson, 37, was on the scene in the ambulance and as soon as he opened the door Robin was there. minutes in a Rapid Response Vehicle to deliver a clot-busting injection. “He went through all the procedures and kept me and our sons all calm at David’s wife, Gina, said: “Robin was fantastic. He was so cool and calm and the same time and he gave David the injection. he kept us all calm even though it was the first time he had used this drug.” “When the ambulance arrived there was actually a cardiologist on board The man who has overseen the increased use of RRVs, Deputy Chief and he said Robin had done brilliantly.” Executive Mike Cassidy, said the case underlined their value. Robin, who joined the ambulance service as a cadet at 15, admitted it had He added: “Pre-hospital thrombolysis is the single most important life been a difficult situation: “I had never given the thrombolysing drug before saving example of the Rapid Response Vehicle principle of taking the and I was on my own. treatment to the patient before taking the patient to the treatment. “But I went through everything and asked Mr Hurley for his consent and “We are extremely proud of the life-saving work performed by our he managed to say yes. solo-responding Rapid Response Teams. They have made such a huge “It was certainly touch and go. He was very poorly and looked terrible but contribution to achieving the eight-minute resuscitation response time, and, it’s been a brilliant result.” as we have heard from Mrs Hurley, it really was ‘in time to make a difference’ Gina added: “These RRVs are obviously proving to be fantastic. They get to her husband’s life.” there so fast and if it wasn’t for the RRV in this case where would David be That’s backed up by an influential report by the Welsh Assembly today?” Government’s Lead Clinical Advisor on Cardiac Services. Robin said: “I really love being on the RRVs. It’s a new challenge and they Phil Thomas says that Welsh Ambulance Service Paramedics trained in allow us to target emergencies. This once again proves that these response administering ‘clot-busting’ drugs are driving up the survival rates of patients targets are inextricably linked to improved clinical outcomes for the patients suffering life-threatening heart attacks. and the public that we serve.” The good news is contained in the Myocardial Infarction National Audit Mike Cassidy welcomed the MINAP report and added: “It is a fantastic Project’s annual report, ‘How the NHS manages Heart Attacks’. achievement by our paramedics responding to life-threatening cardiac cases to In the year from April 2006 to March 2007 Welsh paramedics reach this success rate.” thrombolysed 90 per cent of patients within the crucial ‘golden’ hour – the “A vital aspect of the immediate care of a heart attack victim is the time it Government target is 70 per cent. takes to get a patient into contact with a trained person able to diagnose a David Hurley, 50, is living proof of that and is now on the road to recovery heart attack and administer ‘clot-busting’ drugs if needed. after surgery at the University Hospital of . “Every minute of delay in receiving thrombolysis could lead to an average Seven weeks after he so nearly died he is contemplating returning to work loss of 11 days of life.” and he has quit his 40-a-day cigarette habit. “Thrombolysis is probably the most important treatment we will provide The incident happened in June and Gina recalled: “I had just got home for anybody after a heart attack. It makes a phenomenal reduction in and David came upstairs and told me he wasn’t feeling well – he thought he mortality rates.” had heartburn but he was a terrible colour and couldn’t breathe. page 5 page 7 page 12 Fast buck Awards news Carl’s saviour Alan Murray Thank you forBEINGthere Says... couple have praised ambulance staff injection of adrenaline and treatment swells up rapidly so the victim can’t I hope by now that most of you will have had a whose speed and skill saved the by paramedic Roger John saw him pull breathe so they literally choke to chance to have a look at Making the Difference, our husband’s life. through. death unless you can treat them in annual report for 2006-07. AGerald Kember suffered an anaphylactic Mr Kember said: “I had been to the time.” We decided to make the bilingual document shock after taking antibiotics and collapsed dentist with a tooth infection and had Roger’s arrival was followed different from the usual annual report style, a at his home in Llandaff, Cardiff. picked up a prescription of antibiotics on shortly by the ambulance crewed by decision which was more than fitting given the His wife, Jean, thought he had died but my way home for lunch. paramedic Nigel Theo and ambulance unusual year the Service has experienced. We’re dialed 999 and a paramedic was there “I decided to take them then and in no technician Chris Willis and he was doing things differently at all levels and the annual in four minutes, followed closely by an time I could feel a severe itching in my taken to the University of Wales report reflects this. ambulance crew. hands and I could feel my heart pounding. Hospital where he recovered quickly Instead of being the usual collection of statutory It was touch and go “I looked in the mirror and my face was enough to be released the next day. facts and statistics about how the Trust performed, for Mr Kember, bright red and I asked my wife if I looked former teacher who feared she this year’s annual report focuses on you, the staff 60, of Mitre all right – she said I definitely did not. was about to die has said “thank and volunteers who have made such a difference to Place, “But things got worse very, very quickly. you” to the ambulance crew the lives of thousands of people across Wales. The Llandaff, I lay on the settee and by the time the Awho, within a couple of minutes, were facts and figures are all still there, but every page but an paramedics arrived I was more or less able to help and reassure her. mentions an individual or a team. unconscious. Pamela Jones said the response from The aim was to bring the facts and figures to “The last thing I remember was the paramedic Paul ‘PJ’ Pritchard and life with real examples of how we are impacting paramedic saying ‘I can’t find a pulse’ - technician Jon Cross was “absolutely daily on the lives of people across the country. Mrs Doris Evans with her heroes, paramedic Marcus Viggers, left, and ambulance technician Andy Wilson. my wife thought I’d died.” amazing”. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough room to feature Jean Kember recalled: “It was very “I really thought I was going to die,” each and every one of you who has contributed frightening. He just changed colour she said. towards our success over the past year. and the whites of his eyes went as The drama began when Pamela, 58, To do so would have taken the document into pensioner who ‘flat-lined’ five No words of mine can fully red as his skin. suffered a severe chest pain as she was thousands of pages. But whether you are featured times has described the ambulance describe my appreciation of “But the paramedic was working in the kitchen of her home in in the report or not the improvements are down to men who saved her life as “unsung their excellent work,” she there very quickly and gave Mold Road, Mynydd Isa. the dedication and hard work of everyone involved heroes”.A said. him a shot of adrenaline “It was as if someone had thrown a in the Service. Thank you for helping to make a Doris Evans, 78, had been unwell since The two colleagues also which revived him after he spear through the window into me,” difference. last September and after experiencing dizzy took the trouble to visit lapsed into unconsciousness.” she said: “I was sure I was having a Every member of staff and volunteer will receive spells had an alarm call system installed at her in the ward the day Roger John, a paramedic heart attack. a copy of Making a Difference. If you haven’t her home in Grove Drive, Pembroke. after she was admitted, for eight years, said: “Mr “I called 999 and the operator coolly received yours by the end of October please contact Then, while her husband Philip was at to check on how she was Kember was very unwell and advised me what to do. A couple of the Corporate Communications Unit on 01745 work, she fell over while getting out of progressing. he looked grossly unwell too. minutes later my husband said the 532948. Making a Difference is also available on bed. She pressed the panic button and an “Unfortunately we live in “I carried out the necessary ambulance was pulling up outside.” the intranet. operator assured her that help was on the an age of the ‘compensation treatment which was a shot of PJ and Jon quickly administered Another recent addition to the intranet is a video way. syndrome’ where fault- adrenaline and hydrocortisone oxygen and carried out all the showcasing the new ambulance. Osian Roberts, a Her neighbour, who was the first contact finding, whether justified or and also gave him something to emergency monitoring procedures. paramedic in Llandudno who was part of the team in an emergency, was out at the time and not, is the norm, and this open up the bronchial passages in “They were so competent and involved in the design of the new vehicles, can be her daughter did not know where the key to tends to overshadow the his lungs. reassuring, and very soon they were seen talking through the key features, while Dafydd Doris’s house was kept. good work of the unsung “The treatment revolves round able to tell me the good news that I Jones-Morris, Regional Director for the North, It was then that fate intervened as Philip, heroes such as Andy and getting there quickly and if you hadn’t suffered a heart attack,” said explains how much difference the new ambulances who had been in Haverfordwest and was Marcus whose contribution can do that and give them the Pam, who, until her retirement, taught are making to service delivery. due to return to Pembroke Dock, changed to society goes unnoticed,” said proper treatment then there’s a at Primary School. The short film is also available on DVD in Welsh his mind and, for some reason, decided to Doris, who is still on the road to good chance. She was taken to the and English for anyone who is going out to give call home for lunch. recovery. “But Mr Kember seemed to have Hospital, Wrexham, where doctors talks about the service to schools or organisations. Not realising how serious the situation “That is the reason I have made left it a bit late and he was quite said that the sharp pain was probably Again, contact Corporate Communications for a was, he called their GP surgery, but with no a donation to the ambulance service critically unwell. He was close to due to severe inflammation of the copy. doctor available he then dialled 999 for the as a gesture of thanks to Andy and death. rib cartilage as Pam suffers from October is a month for making your views heard. first time in his life. Marcus and for the benefit of the “In anaphylactic shock the airway rheumatoid arthritis. The NHS Wales Staff Survey is your opportunity to Within minutes paramedic Marcus Viggers local ambulance service as a whole.” PJ, who has been say what it’s like to work for the Ambulance Service. and technician Andy Wilson were at the Marcus, who has been in the in the service for The survey will come direct to your home, so look scene and after stabilising her condition ambulance service for four years, four years, said he out for it after October 10 and took Doris to the cardiac care unit at said they took a professional and had received several remember to send it back Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest. personal interest in Doris’ progress. ‘thank you’ letters completed by October 24. “What I remember was the reassuring “She seemed a very nice lady and from patients or nature of the two men. Both were very was not very well at all when we relatives. I am pleased to announce professional, dedicated and caring, and I was took her in,” he said. “Mrs Jones was in that Mike Cassidy, able to relax, knowing I was in safe hands,” Andy, who has been a considerable distress Director of Ambulance said Doris.” technician for three years and and very nervous, Services, has been Doris later learned that on no less than aims to become a paramedic, but it was good to appointed Deputy Chief five occasions - three times while with the added: “It’s always nice when be able to tell her Executive. paramedics – she had experienced ‘flat- a patient takes the trouble to she hadn’t suffered Mike will continue with liners’, when her heart stopped beating, but thank for the Service, but it was a heart attack,” he his work as Director and each time they revived her. a real surprise to learn she had said. deputise for me when “For that I will be eternally grateful. sent a cheque.” Pamela Jones with Jon Cross, left, and Paul Pritchard Gerald and Jean Kember necessary. with paramedic Roger John

2 3 Moneyman stays AHEADof the PACK he new Director of Finance for the Welsh Ambulance horsewoman who rode out with a bloodhound pack in Norwich – apart from a spell with a housing association – Service has been tracked by bloodhounds, cycled Norfolk. before joining the East Anglian Ambulance Service where 6,000 miles across Canada and even has a favourite Tim explains: “Bloodhounds hunt humans so they need he rose to become deputy director of finance. mathsT equation. a quarry and I was the quarry. I’d set off about five or ten There followed a step up to Director of Finance with the But it’s his ability to crunch numbers that has got 38-year- minutes ahead of the hunt and they’d follow me. Cumbrian Ambulance Service in Carlisle before he came old Tim Woodhead the job of keeping the Trust’s finances “It was fun and they’d usually catch up with me after half to the Welsh Ambulance Service as interim Director of on an even keel. an hour or so but it’s quite unnerving when you hear them Finance last November. The talented athlete was born in Suffolk but raised in Kent baying after you when they’ve got the scent – like being in That position has now been confirmed and he and his and ran for Kent Schools and for University in Norwich one of those prison escape films.” family are now happily settled in North Wales: “We like where he graduated in Maths and Philosophy. Tim still has the slim, lithe build of the distance runner living in the country and Norfolk and Cumbria are very That gave him a grasp of Plato as well as Pythagoras and and still runs – he’s running the BUPA Great North Run rural areas,” he says. throw in an interest in astronomy and in writing poetry on September 30 – and has clocked under three hours for “North Wales hits the spot for us for that reason as well and the father of two who now lives in is a man of the London Marathon as well as completing the Snowdon but it’s pretty busy compared to Canada. many and varied parts. Marathon. “Ali and I took four months out to cycle across Canada “Maths and Philosophy might seem quite different but He has also run the Llanwrtyd Wells Man versus Horse from Vancouver to St John’s, Newfoundland, and did about they are both actually very pure subjects and can be quite race across 23 miles of gruelling Mid Wales moorland: “I 6,000 miles. abstract,” he says with a smile. didn’t beat the first horse but I did finish ahead of a horse – “One day we set out at eight in the morning and it was As for the bloodhounds, that was because wife Ali – two of them if you count one that gave up.” about four’o’clock before we saw a car. We were just so their sons are Edward, four, and Alex, two – is a keen After university Tim worked in the Health Service in alone. “In another place the road ran straight for 60 miles, arrow straight, no bends or curves.” If that was a challenge then running the finances of a Meet the Board: Stuart Fletcher modern ambulance service at a time of huge changes is also he man who chairs the Welsh Ambulance Service Governor of Pembrokeshire College and very a challenge: “It all comes down to how do you provide the Trust Board has a wealth of experience in the involved in the Welsh Livery Guild which most efficient and effective service with the money we’ve National Health Service – and a passion for rugby. promotes arts, science and technology for the got,” he explains. TSouthport-born Stuart Fletcher OBE, lives in young people of Wales. He is also a member Haverfordwest and has been chairman of the WAST since of the General Medical Council’s Fitness to “We have to think in a wider way, how to get the best April 2006. Practise Panels which carry out a disciplinary bang for our buck. He has headed up the board which appointed Chief function for medical staff across the UK “It is a time of change and financially that is always Executive Alan Murray and which has overseen a dramatic Stuart and his Welsh-speaking wife, Dilys, who difficult but we are on the road to balancing our budget turnaround in the performance of the Service. is from Newborough, on Anglesey, have three and I am very encouraged by the way things have gone. We The father of three has a Classics degree from Oxford children. University and has worked in NHS management his entire In his spare time he is a keen photographer and are starting to get a platform of financial and operational career, latterly as chief executive of the Pembrokeshire and mountain-walker who has twice done the stability. Derwen NHS Trust for eight years, then for three years as Three Peaks Challenge, Snowdon, Scafell “We have had significant capital investment for vehicles acting chief executive of Health Commission Wales. Pike and Ben Nevis all in 24 hours, and infrastructure and by achieving performance and Stuart, 62, is a former National President of the Institute most recently in 2005. financial targets for last year it has given us confidence that of Health Care Management and received his OBE in 2004 He played rugby for and for services to the NHS. captained Southport - he didn’t we can deliver what we say we will. He is also very excited about the future for the hang his boots up until he was “We have to think on a business model but our benefit Ambulance Service: “The staff of the service are of a very 45 - and is a knowledgeable and is not the profit to shareholders but more help for our high calibre and every day there are examples of the very enthusiastic spectator and he patients.” high standards of care they give. and Dilys have followed Wales And that favourite equation? e-iπ=1. “In addition we have a strong team on the board, both in across Europe and been to the executive and non-executive teams. Australia and New Zealand “Over the years I’ve worked with many boards and this is to watch the Lions – they one of the best with a breadth of experience.” have already booked to go to He is President-elect of Haverfordwest Rotary Club, a South Africa in 2009. New home for NHS Direct Wales hey say moving house can be one of the most stressful experiences that people are better able to care for themselves and their family, day or in life, so for the 300 staff at NHS Direct Wales, the move to the night” explained Anita. Welsh Ambulance Service on April 1 was a nerve-wracking time. The public can access NHS Direct by calling 0845 46 47, online at Invite to staff TThe move may only have been physical for a few, and most of the www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk; by sending a health information request to he Welsh Ambulance Service Trust is inviting its staff to take part “It builds upon existing equality work on gender and health in Wales Health Advice and Information Service staff are still based at their contact the online enquiry service or by using the textphone on 0845 606 4647 in a major survey to promote equality of opportunity for the sexes to support the Ambulance Service in mainstreaming gender equality centres in , Bangor and Gwent, but the impact was felt by And the service is growing all the time. “In the last year alone we’ve within the Service. considerations into the planning and delivery of services.” everyone. received over 625,000 total contacts including over 235,000 web hits, TIn April 2007, the biggest change to sex equality legislation since the “To implement the GED, and we are interested in your views on how “No one really knew what to expect when we joined the Ambulance 350,000 calls and over 40,000 calls to the dental helpline” said Dr Nigel Sex Discrimination Act 1975 came into force with the new Gender we meet the different needs of women and men in both delivering health Trust, and there were concerns about contracts and job roles to begin Waskett, Associate Medical Director of NHS Direct Wales. Equality Duty (GED) which means the Trust has to ensure the design, services, and in employment.” with, but we’ve tried to be as honest and open with staff as we can, and “We’ve also taken on a much wider range work in the last few years. development and delivery of health services, and our employment A survey questionnaire is now available on the Trust website and this it’s all gone relatively smoothly” said Anita Griffiths, Acting Director for We now provide telephone triage for the GP Out of Hours service in practices, taking into account the different needs of women and men, will be developed into an action plan (draft copy in place) to be published NHS Direct Wales. Swansea, Gwynedd and Anglesey and run a dental helpline for 13 Local including transsexual people. as part of our individual Gender Equality Schemes. NHS Direct Wales was launched in June 2000 with the aim of Health Board areas.” Equality and Diversity Officer Jo-Ann Dyson said: “The GED The questionnaire should be returned to Jo-Ann Dyson, Equality and providing a 24 hour health advice and information service, signposting New projects in the pipeline include NHS Direct Wales nurses in complements existing duties on disability and race and underpins the Development Officer, Regional Ambulance Training College, Abergele the people of Wales to the most appropriate level of healthcare for their Control rooms and a Directory of Unscheduled Care Services that will other strands of equalities; sexual orientation, age, and religion and belief. Hospital, Llanfair Road, Abergele, LL22 8DP. needs. give paramedics instant access to a range of services including District “NHS Direct Wales gives confidential health advice and information so Nurses, Crisis Prevention teams and Community Transport Services.

4 5 circles n ambulance man has spoken of his pride at being a very, very enjoyable day at the – I never Moving in inducted into the Gorsedd of Bards - and of the thought in my life that such a thing as this would happen BARDICAspecial task he has been entrusted with by the to me. Archdruid himself. “It’s absolutely unbelievable, it’s one of the biggest Trevor Lloyd Hughes was made a member of the honours you can have in Wales, and I am proud of it. I am Gorsedd at the Eisteddfod at Mold for his work with overwhelmed.” the Welsh Ambulance Service, his local community in “For me it is recognition of the whole Welsh Ambulance Anglesey and the game of football in Wales, particularly for Service, the people of Holyhead and Anglesey and the his promotion of the Welsh Language within the game. game of football in Wales. And now he has been asked to take up the challenge “The Welsh Ambulance Service has been very close to of making sure the national team learn the words of the me and that is partly why I have been honoured by the Welsh National Anthem, Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. National Eisteddfod. I have given quite a lot of time both Trevor said: “When I went up, Archdruid Selwyn Iolen within the workplace and outside to promoting the Service shook hands with me but then he held on to my hand in the community. and said ‘I’ve known this man for many, many years and “If we can put a smile on the face of a patient during the his dedication is well worth the honour. But I have one journey to hospital we have given them confidence. message for him and that is that he teaches the Welsh “I always enjoy some banter and enjoy meeting different football team the National Anthem.’ people but most of all what I have tried to do is to give 100 “I have taken up the challenge and will be speaking per cent.” to John Toshack about it and perhaps at next year’s Trevor also explained why he had campaigned for the Eisteddfod I’ll be able to take the Welsh team along as a Welsh language within football: “The Welsh language in choir.” the football world was weak and so was the policy of the Holyhead-born and bred, ambulance technician Trevor, FAW until 12 months ago,” he said. known as Trefor o’r Ynys in bardic circles, has served in the “We brought in a policy to promote the Welsh language Welsh Ambulance Service for 30 years, after working as in the game and now if they want to do anything in Welsh an AA patrol man for eight years. they can. This brings an identity to the country that is very He has also become a familiar face on and off the close to me. Welsh football field for over 40 years thanks to “I regularly speak to all the Welsh international players, his love of the game and his country’s cultural Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Gareth Bale, while Neville roots and has frequently appeared on TV and Southall is a good friend of mine. But I have not forgotten radio. the game at the lower level, I have not forgotten where I Trevor has been secretary of the Anglesey have come from.” League, Welsh and North Trevor paid tribute to all the support he has received Wales Football Association, and more form his wife Janet, colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance recently been treasurer of the Football Service, and footballing friends over the years. Association of Wales. He is also a He instigated a Child Protection policy within the game past Chairman of the Anglesey in Wales, the first country to do so: “When I was chairman County Council of the Development Committee of the FAW I brought out and was Mayor of a booklet to protect children from abuse within the game,” Holyhead last he said. year. “From there it was brought to the attention of FIFA, He the governing body of the game, and now protection of said: “It children within the game is a main issue at grass roots was level.”

Staff awards The Trust is considering introducing a Staff Awards for Excellence scheme whereby individual and teams of staff and volunteers would receive a small trophy and a commendation for outstanding work or effort. The details have yet to be worked out, but in the meantime we would appreciate your views. Do you think this is something which would be welcomed by staff and volunteers and if so what sort of trophy do you Deserved recognition for life-savers think would be most suitable? If you’ve got any views on an awards scheme good or bad please let Sue town has recognised the heroic ambulance paramedic who rescued wo Aberdare residents who came to the rescue of a bus driver who onto the floor and she rang for the ambulance Appleton, Corporate Communications Manager, know either by email or three people from a blazing building. had collapsed have had their life-saving actions recognised by the “Then Lindy arrived and she started CPR (cardio-pulmonary telephone 01745 532948, by November 16. Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. resuscitation) and said someone had to give mouth to mouth. Tredegar Town Council have presented Welsh Ambulance TLindy Riddiford and Andrew Cook helped revive bus driver Colin James “I had never done it before but she told me what to do and I made sure AService paramedic Christine James with a special plaque to mark after he was taken ill at the wheel outside their homes in Cwmamman, his airway was clear and lifted his head back and just breathed into his her actions. “We are delighted to do it. Her actions were absolutely Aberdare in April. mouth and I heard a gurgling sound which was a good sign because it It was in the early hours of a Sunday morning that Christine, on unbelievable in risking her life for the sake of others she had never They and care home worker Zoe Price went to the rescue at the incident. meant air was getting in.” patrol alone in a Rapid Response Vehicle, spotted smoke billowing met before.” Zoe was recently presented with a commemorative plaque and now Lindy Lindy continued the chest compressions and then Zoe took over before from a terraced house in the town’s Beaufort Street. Christine, from Blaina, is also in line for an award from the Welsh and Andrew have also received Welsh Ambulance Service plaques to mark the Rapid Response Vehicle arrived with Aberdare paramedic supervisor Her courage and presence of mind in rousing the occupants, Ambulance Service and from the South Wales Fire Service on whose their life-saving heroics. Nigel Phillips at the wheel, followed by an ambulance, within eight minutes calling the fire service and then resuscitating an elderly woman was behalf Station Manager Simon Room said: “I can assure you that but Lindy, a mum of four who works as an auxiliary nurse at Prince Charles and he said: “They should be very proud, they have done a great job.” the subject of a presentation from the Council at a special ceremony for Christine we would have been faced with a triple fatality. Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, was at home when a boy came to the door to say Lindy visited Mr James in hospital and said: “I went up to see him at at Bedwellty House. “There’s not a shadow of doubt that but for her three people would the bus driver had collapsed: “My daughter ran in and said there was a man Prince Charles and I’ve had a lovely basket of flowers from his family. I was Town Clerk Dr John Evans said: “We made a number of have died in that fire.” dead on the bus so I ran out.” just so glad we were able to make a difference.” presentations but Christine was the star of the show. Christine, 41, a paramedic for 13 years, said: “I’m not really the Meanwhile, Andrew Cook had been alerted because the bus had hit his Andrew added: “It was quite a frightening experience but afterwards I “She received a Welsh slate plaque with the crest of Tredegar Town superhero type, I was just doing my job and it was lucky that I was wife’s parked car and the alarm went off: “I went running out and saw him felt quite proud that I’d done something to help, something I’d never done Council and an inscription ‘To Christine James for outstanding passing that way, going back from another call.” slumped on the steering wheel and Zoe and I managed to get him clear and before and might never do again.” courage.’

6 7 Carl meetsHIS saviour Good samaritanJACKIE Lynda Brown and daughter Georgia, 8, with First Responder ix years ago fitness fanatic Carl Feiven’s life was saved by a Welsh Ambulance Service paramedic – now he’s a Jackie Patterson. trained lifesaver himself. And the man who saved Carl’s life, Tony Rossetti, is training more volunteer lifesavers like Carl. SCarl, 32, assistant manager of the Nike store at the Designer Outlet, said: “I know how important it is for people to receive treatment as soon as possible and I’d hate to think that if someone collapsed in our store then I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. “Luckily for me my wife Claire and Tony were there and they were able to save my life. “She is a nurse and knew him and I knew him by sight but it was strange to meet him. You don’t know what to say to someone who has saved your life – I can only thank him.” Carl’s near-death experience happened six years ago in February 2001. He recalls: “I was training for the London Marathon which I’d run twice before and was aiming to go under three hours. “I had been for an 18-mile run on Sunday and was just relaxing at home in on Monday evening and then I don’t remember anything until two days later I woke up in intensive care. “Claire said I just started shaking as if I was having a fit and she thought I was messing about but when I didn’t respond she threw me on the floor and gave me the kiss of life. “I had stopped breathing and she was resuscitating me and phoning 999 at the same time and luckily there was an ambulance nearby and Tony was there in a couple of minutes. “He had to shock me twice with the defibrillator and I was taken into hospital virtually in a coma and didn’t come to until two days later. Just a few weeks before Claire, then a student nurse, had gone out in an ambulance with Tony as part of her training: “I got the call as I was on my way back from another job and we were just a couple of minutes away,” says Tony. “He was in cardiac arrest and so I shocked him twice and he started breathing again. “It was textbook stuff and it meant a young man was able to carry on his life and the two were able to get married.” HE mother of a young asthma sufferer has praised a volunteer In just a few minute Jackie arrived and immediately gave Georgia oxygen, It was his lucky escape from death that encouraged Carl to enrol as a lifesaver who rushed to her daughter’s aid in the middle of the night. which calmed her down. volunteer when the Bridgend Outlet joined the Public Access Defibrillator And it wasn’t until the following day that Lynda Brown learned An ambulance then arrived, having had to travel from Machynlleth and Scheme and now it has the second highest number of volunteer lifesavers Tthat the woman who had done such a wonderful job was not a professional. they gave Georgia medication. in Wales – only Cardiff airport has more than the 52 there. Now Lynda, from Tywyn, is keen for the public to know what a valuable “Jackie did a fantastic job, but I didn’t realise that First Responders were Facilities manager at the Outlet Major Wayne Morgan MBE said: “We role First Responder groups are fulfilling. volunteers until I read an article about them the following day,” said Lynda. have up to four million visitors a year and we now have four defibrillators And after tracking down Good Samaritan Jackie Patterson, Lynda has Jackie, 46, has been a member of the Tywyn-based group since it was strategically placed around the premises.” presented her with a bouquet as a thank you. formed two years ago and according to co-ordinator Bob Hawkes is one of Tony is now Ambulance Service First Responder Officer for South East It was in the early hours of June 7 when Lynda became worried about their most enthusiastic members. Wales and responsible for the region’s network of First Responder Groups, eight-year-old Georgia as she suffered an asthma attack. A night care worker at the Llys Cadfan Nursing Home, she was asleep at volunteer lifesavers trained in defibrillation and resuscitation. “It was getting worse and so I called the GP’s emergency number and home when she received the call to go to assist Georgia. they called an ambulance,” she said. “My own daughter was eight when she died of leukaemia in 1991 and so Volunteer lifesaver Carl Feiven with the man who saved his life, paramedic Tony “Although there is an ambulance station in Tywyn I was afraid there it shook me up a bit when I heard it was an eight-year-old who was ill,” she Rossetti, now First Responder Officer for South East Wales. might not be one available so I started panicking.” said. Though their home in St Cadfan’s Well is close to the centre of Tywyn it “I just threw on my clothes and got there as quickly as possible. can prove difficult to find so Lynda ran to the end of the lane to look out “I really enjoy being a First Responder and it’s very satisfying to know we Clotbusters for the ambulance. are helping local people, but I didn’t expect flowers.” OST people are prepared to do their “As soon as I was given the address I HEALTHY STAFF The NHS Direct Wales website www. or improve their existing command of it can neighbours a favour or two, but a knew who would be there, but Jackie Keeping staff healthy is not just a matter of nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk provides information have their tuition paid for by the Trust. Swansea man went a step further than was very distressed when we arrived showing you care, it makes good business sense on a broad range of health and well being Director of Personnel and Development Lyn mostM – by saving his neighbour’s life. and didn’t recognise me,” said Keri, too. topics. You can access patient information Meadows said: “Learning Welsh is a lengthy When Jackie Shepperson suffered a heart attack 36, who has been in the ambulance The Welsh Ambulance Service is keen that its leaflets and have details of local services process and to assist members of staff who wish at home she dialled 999, and within minutes service for 12 years and a paramedic staff should enjoy good health, both for their including self help and support groups sent to take lessons in their own time, the Trust is paramedics were on the scene to use a wonder drug for four. own sake and for the sake of the service they direct to your mobile phone. The groups cover willing to reimburse reasonable fees for tuition.” which took effect immediately. “She had chest pains and was having provide. smoking cessation, disease management and Anyone interested should find out the cost But it was only as she began to recover that Jackie trouble breathing, so we defibrillated That was seen in the immense care taken advocacy services. and contact Wendy Welch, on 01745 532933 October is ‘Breast Cancer Awareness’ Month. realised that one of the men treating her in the her and with telemetry forwarded her in developing the Service’s new emergency or at [email protected]” ambulances with their state-of-the-art manual Breast cancer affects 1 in 9 women and 1 in ambulance was none other than Keri Davies, who ECG to Singleton Hospital,” he said. 300 men and there are 41,000 new cases of lived just a few doors away from her. After obtaining Jackie’s consent they lifting and handling gear. ZERO TOLERANCE breast cancer diagnosed each year. If you become a victim of violence or abuse at Now Jackie, 66, says she cannot speak too highly gave her the thrombolysing, or clot- That’s because most ambulance personnel retire early due to back and other muscular- “Early detection can help prevent the spread work report it. of the ambulance crew and the clot-busting drug busting drug which quickly produced of breast cancer. It is important to be aware of The Welsh Ambulance Services Trust operates which they used to save her life. results as her condition improved. skeletal problems. But there’s more to it than that, as Director the look and feel of your breasts and contact a zero tolerance stance and will actively seek to She was about to go to bed at her home in “It was only when things settled of Personnel and Development Lyn Meadows your GP if you notice any unusual changes or prosecute anyone who is physically abusive or Kennington Close, Killay, when she felt a pain in down that Keri said to me ‘You don’t explains: “Health Promotion is about symptoms.” violent to staff. her back, followed by a strange rippling sensation. recognise me, do you?’ and it clicked keeping healthy, living a healthy lifestyle and For more information you visit the breast A report to September’s Violence at Work Sub “I felt a little odd, and then came out in a cold who he was,” she said. preventing ill health and that’s an important cancer website at www.breastcancercare.org.uk Group showed a 36 per cent fall in the number sweat, so I went downstairs and that is when I felt a “By the time we arrived at the responsibility for the Trust. of reported incidents over a 37-month period. pain in my chest, so I rang 999,” she said. hospital she was laughing and joking, “Raising awareness of health issues and LEARNING WELSH This trend may be down to under reporting, Paramedics Keri Davies and Andrew Vaughan and the doctor there joked that there improving knowledge can reduce the The Welsh Ambulance Service is continuing so to make sure we get the full picture if you are from the Sketty station were at the house within was nothing more for him to do,” said incidence of illness which can affect day to day its programmme of assistance to Welsh learners. involved in an incident please report it on an four minutes. Keri. activities.” Staff members who wish to learn the language AIR1 form.

8 9 REVOLUTIONARY VEHICLES NOW...

paramedic who played a key role in engineering that’s gone into this vehicle is developing the “best ambulances in the phenomenal. UK” is the star of a new DVD about “There was a huge amount of work Athem. done not only the road staff but also the The DVD was premiered at the annual engineers and the electricians, everyone. It’s public meeting of the Welsh Ambulance a work of art. Services NHS Trust at Venue Cymru, in “A lot of the equipment is on the outside, Llandudno, in September. you just open a cupboard, grab your bag, In the DVD, Osian Roberts takes the whatever bag you need and you’re at the viewer on a guided tour of the state of the patient’s side. art ambulance of which he is immensely “There’s plenty of storage space on this proud. ambulance and every cupboard is marked The fleet of 119 new vehicles has been a up clearly so that everybody that’s foreign Welsh Ambulance Service National PCS Manager huge hit with staff and other ambulance to this vehicle can come in and know Julie Winspear, in one of the new vehicles services across Europe are already interested exactly where everything is. in getting some just like them. North Wales Regional Director Dafydd Osian was a member of the team that Jones-Morris said: “The new ambulance purpose-built fleet of new vehicles is when new Ambulance Service Chief Executive “We have to transport a lot of people every analysing our mobility and demand profiles. designed the vehicles to make sure it was revolutionising the Welsh Ambulance Alan Murray was given a £16 million cheque day and it’s important we do that in clean, “These vehicles have been developed to have made a big difference to staff and both staff and patient-friendly. patients alike. Service’s non-emergency services in by the Welsh Assembly Government to comfortable, modern and well-equipped take into account the road network within He said: “I’m extremely happy with this AWales. transform the Service’s fleet of vehicles. vehicles which are easily accessible. Wales as some of our patients travel in excess “I’m immensely proud of them, I think ambulance, I’m confident in saying that it’s this is a tremendous step forward and I’m They are part of a package which has already The new style fleet included 67 new non- “And we have a radio system to provide of three hours to receive specialist treatment the best ambulance on the road in the UK seen the Service’s emergency vehicle fleet emergency vehicles as well as 119 state of the entertainment on long journeys. therefore we need to ensure a smoother and extremely pleased to see them on the roads at the moment. of Wales.” upgraded with state of the art ambulances art emergency ambulances and rapid response “We have used wipe-down material to more comfortable ride for both patients and “The technology, the planning, the and rapid response vehicles. vehicles. avoid cross-contamination by making them staff.” See the video at www.was-tr.wales.nhs.uk/ Hand in hand with those changes have A further £6.7 million was voted to the easier to clean so they are much healthier So far 42 of the new vehicles are in service come new Patient Care Services vehicles, Service in March and part of that sum will for patients and for staff.” across Wales, making a difference to that the workhorses of the Service, which each pay for another 30 of these specialised patient The new vehicles have been welcomed everyday transport miracle of moving five and year transport 1.5 million people, half the transporters. by the Ambulance Service’s National PCS a half thousand people, with more of the new population of Wales. Most of the new vehicles are based on the Manager Julie Winspear who said: “These fleet coming into service each week. ... and THEN That adds up to over 5,000 people a day Renault Master van and they can carry up to new vehicles give us greater flexibility “The on-going replacement of the older traveling on non-emergency and pre- ten people and three wheelchairs. within the fleet. This improves the working non-emergency vehicles with modern fuel- planned transport, to and from hospital for Welsh Ambulance Service National Fleet environment for our staff and improves efficient vehicles will reduce the effect of appointments at out-patient clinics, day Manager Tony Cowley said: “We’ve done a the patient experience. We will continue carbon emissions on the environment. surgery units, and day centres. lot of work with our PCS and control room to develop the fleet this year by gathering “The response so far has been very positive,” The transformation began back in October staff to make sure we have the right vehicles. relevant information from our patients and said Ms Winspear. CHINESE WAITERS IN RESUSCITATION MARATHON

ecurity guards, Chinese waiters and night- Centre in and first on the training Resuscitation Training Officer at Heartstart Bro Taf, compressions for about five minutes so we had time cleaning staff helped out in a 24-hour mannequin to perform chest compressions was Mel who co-ordinated the marathon, said: “The event has organised teams, visitors to the Centre and Heartstart charity resuscitation marathon to help save Knight, Red Dragon’s FM radio presenter from The been a huge success; visitors of all ages have been keen Instructors. livesS by raising over £3,500 for Heartstart Bro Taf. Full Welsh Breakfast. to learn vital life-saving skills. “The volunteers included security guards, Chinese They joined Welsh Ambulance Patient Care Services That was at 4pm on Friday and by the time heart “Current research suggests that Bystander CPR at waiters from a nearby restaurant and even the Centre staff and volunteer groups in the event which will attack survivor Gary Humphries performed the final the point of arrest is one of the single most important cleaners who helped us out in the early hours of pay for training mannequins for Heartstart Bro Taf, a compressions 24 hours later a total of 144,000 had factors affecting survival.” morning. voluntary organisation supported by the Ambulance been completed. Many visitors to the Red Dragon Centre took part “I would like to thank all of them including the Service which provides training to the public in Gary’s life was saved by First Responders, part of in the event, performing chest compressions which volunteer instructors and the companies who gave emergency life support. the Welsh Ambulance Service’s network of volunteer mean pressing down on the centre of the casualty’s their time and generous donations to make this event The scheme aims to train 5,000 people each year, lifesavers trained to carry out CPR and to use electric chest to a depth of five centimetres. such a huge success.” Barry Ambulance Station way back and to date has trained more than 75,000. shock and oxygen equipment. Martyn added: “This is quite an exhausting task Money can still be donated by contacting Heartstart when - does anyone remember any of these staff or The charity event was held at the Red Dragon Ambulance Service paramedic Martyn Morgan, and normally one person will only be able to perform Bro Taf on 02920 222277. when the photo was taken?

10 11 DEFIB ON BOARD he Swansea Cardiac Support Group has come to the aid of Wales Air Ambulance with a superb donation of £7500 towards the cost of a defibrillator. The Swansea Cardiac Support Group have supported the work of Wales Air Ambulance regularly over Trecent years providing funds for regulation clothing such as paramedic flying suits and helmets. This year they have chosen to provide the charity with a substantial donation toward the cost of a defibrillator for the aircraft with the other fifty percent of the cost coming direct from the British Heart Foundation. The defibrillator allows paramedics to monitor patients at the scene of the incident and on their way to hospital and will shock a patient suffering from cardiac arrest allowing the best possible chance of resuscitation. Steve Jones, Regional Development Manager for South Wales. said: “This is a wonderful donation towards a vital piece of life-saving equipment for one of our helicopters and will help the charity continue this vital service.” Wales Air Ambulance operates three emergency helicopter ambulances covering the whole of Wales 365 days of the year. The aircraft are manned by a pilot and two advanced life support paramedics and can be at the scene of any life-threatening trauma regardless of the location anywhere in Wales in less than 15 minutes. Mr Jones added: “We are extremely grateful to everyone involved in raising the money they donate to us. “Wales Air Ambulance receive no funding from the government or national lottery and the £1million per helicopter needed each year to sustain this vital service is generated from public donations. “I would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone for helping us be there for you in your time of need.”

4,000th Mission

he South Crew of Wales Air South Coast which took place on the 1st would have taken many hours to carry Ambulance flew to the highest August 1907, and it was a 19-year-old him down from the ridge. We were summit in the Brecon Beacons to scout that had to be rescued. able to reach the face in 19 minutes and Trecord their 4000th mission. Paramedic supervisor Aneurin Heath airlifted him to Prince Charles Hospital Scouts all over the UK were renewing MBE said: “Although the young man’s in Merthyr in just six minutes where their promise this August, to celebrate injuries were not serious, he had he made a full recovery.” The scout the 100th anniversary of the first Baden sustained a severe knee and ankle injury who lives in Bristol did not want to be Powell camp on Brownsey Island on the that prevented him from walking, and it named.

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If you have any comments or ideas about the magazine or suggestions about how Please contact Alistair Syme on 01824 703073 or e-mail at alistair@ceidiog. it can improve than please contact a member of the editorial team.This is your com, Steve Salter (South-East Region) on 01443 492986 or e-mail Steve.Salter@ magazine and if you are reading it and thinking that it doesn’t address issues that you ambulance.wales.nhs.uk, Andrew Watt (North Region) on 01341 421023 or feel are important, then it is down to you to contact your regional representative and e-mail [email protected] and Michael Jose (Central and West tell them about it. Any stories or ideas are also welcomed so please contribute and Region) on 01656 890154 or e-mail [email protected] make this your magazine. 12