Welcome from our Chief Executive

EMAS Chief Executive, Phil Milligan

Our last EMAS Aspect noted that I had just taken up my duties as Chief Executive.

I am pleased to say that as well as being busy inside the organisation, I have been able to get out and about to visit colleagues in a number of partner organisations including NHS and third sector organisations.

I have received very positive feedback that EMAS is seen to be engaging in the wider environment. People have also remarked positively upon our work to help shape community healthcare provision in the future.

 I am very grateful for these comments and similar messages of support that I have received. They confirm my view that EMAS is making a real contribution and can build a positive future.

This has been reinforced by the EMAS staff I have visited across the Trust. I have been very impressed with the motivation of staff to provide a high quality clinical service to our patients.

This newsletter gives you some added insights into the work of EMAS. I hope that you enjoy reading it and I welcome your comments at phil.milligan@emas.nhs.uk

Pictured: Phil Milligan

Patient Transport Service

Update and timeline for change of service provider

Here is an update on our PTS service, after December’s EMAS Aspect detailed our disappointment at losing the contracts to provide patient transport services in the East Midlands.

The new providers will sign contracts on or around 6 February and we have agreed with EMPACT, who handled the tendering process, that we will assist in a smooth and orderly handover. The services will transfer on 1 July. 

This approach will benefit patients and service users and also our staff who will transfer with the service. We have held an initial round of meetings with our staff and have a small team handling staff communications and the practicalities of making the transition.

Our PTS contracts in North and North East Lincolnshire, won by EMAS in a tendering process last year, continue unaffected.

Pictured: EMAS Patient Transport Service vehicle

Life savers recognised

Good Samaritan Awards

This month we made two ‘Good Samaritan Awards’ to staff at a school in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, after they helped save the life of 13 year old pupil Callum Massey.

A pupil assault set off a chain of events that left Callum unconscious, not breathing and prone on the floor. It later transpired that he collapsed because of an undiagnosed heart condition. School staff - led by quick-thinking caretaker Eddie Heath - stepped in and put their crucial first-aid training into practice, giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage as EMAS paramedics raced to the scene. Eddie was supported by teaching assistant Paul Mullins who also liaised with the emergency services.

“I had to do something,” said Eddie. “Callum had gone purple. We became his heart and his breathing. I never wanted to have to do something like this. You hope Superman will fly through the door and you haven’t got to do it. You do not want to take that responsibility. But you have to.

“It wasn’t just about me or Paul. It was a massive team effort, and everyone pulled together brilliantly. There were so many people who did so many things.”

Paul said: “We have been so lucky. Callum is still here and that’s the important thing.”

National Church of England Academy pupils were also praised for their calm reaction to such a stressful situation.

A crucial role was also played by EMAS community paramedic Tony Goodman, who was at the school within seven minutes and took over from Eddie and Paul to fully resuscitate Callum before transferring him to hospital.

Caretaker Eddie was taught his ultimately life-saving skills as part of an enhanced programme of first aid at the school.

The Award Ceremony at a school assembly was covered by local newspapers. Head teacher Dr Jon Edwards said: “When I spoke to Eddie afterwards, he said it was all just in a day’s work. But it wasn’t really. We are very proud and we are pleased to recognise him, Paul and everyone else.”

Pictured: L-R: Caretaker Eddie Heath, Callum Massey and Teaching Assistant Paul Mullins

'Thank you EMAS for saving our 6-day-old baby'

Family meet ambulance crew who helped to save their baby

When six-day-old Alliza-Lily of Corby would not take her feed and became distressed, her breathing slowed and her lips started to turn blue. Whilst dad David Laing comforted her, mum Michelle Walkley immediately called 999.

EMAS community paramedic Ian Pratt arrived at the family home in a fast response vehicle within four minutes of the call being put through to ambulance Control. He said: “It was clear that Alliza-Lily was not well, the more so when I took a blood sugar test which involved pricking her heel with a small needle. This usually makes the baby cry but she didn’t and this was another indicator that she was seriously unwell.

“The test showed that she had an excessive amount of insulin in her body so I knew that I needed to give her a dose of Glucagon to help regulate it. I had never given it to a baby this young before so I referred to my clinical handbook to check the amount that could be given safely.”

Ian administered the minimum amount of Glucagon and Alliza-Lily’s condition began to stabilise. Ambulance crew Georgina Lilley and Sarah Ward arrived to support Ian and continue caring for Alliza-Lily during the ambulance journey to hospital.

Alliza-Lily has been diagnosed with a rare condition - Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI). The condition affects 1 in approx 40,000 and can be transient, persistent, mild or severe.  

Mum Michelle said: “Ian had told the hospital to expect us and so despite this being a rare condition, we were thankful that the Kettering General Hospital quickly diagnosed what was wrong with Alliza-Lily and she was then admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit.  

“After receiving excellent care, she was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. They told us that had it not been for the fast response from East Midlands Ambulance Service, and the quick thinking and action of Ian the paramedic, Alliza-Lily would either be in a very serious condition or may not have survived the journey to hospital.

“She is back at home now and words cannot express how grateful we are to Ian and all the medical staff who helped us and continue to do so. We are aware that the outcome could have been much worse if it had not been for the initial treatment that Ian gave her. We were really pleased to meet Ian, Georgina and Sarah again so we could say our heart-felt ‘thank you’ in person.”

Pictured: L:R - Georgina Lilley, Sarah Ward, Alliza-Lily, Michelle Walkley and Ian Pratt

Active in research to provide excellent care to our patients

Building on our well-earned research reputation

EMAS has quietly gained a well-earned reputation for its research activities in the field of pre-hospital care. Our research team is based in Lincoln and works closely with a range of universities as well as fellow ambulance trusts in England.  The research work also involves patients and EMAS frontline staff.

Now Chief Executive Phil Milligan has spread the word amongst NHS colleagues, prompting requests for more information and offers to explore the potential for joint research projects.

Phil’s message outlined the scope of research at EMAS, before providing case studies on cannulation and the cardiovascular quality initiative to show how patients benefit from the research we do, and then set out our aspirations for the future.

If you would like to read about our research work, please click here 

Pictured: A heart attack

Taking equality seriously   

Equal opportunities and better access to our service

We are making information widely available so that people inside and outside EMAS can see how we are delivering on our goals for equality. We have published this information on our website today.

We want our Trust to be personal, fair and diverse with equality of opportunity and equitable treatment for all. We are grateful to our partners in the third sector, and our EMAS members, for the support and cooperation shown to us as we develop in this important area. We look forward to continuing our positive working relationships, some entered into in partnership with fellow NHS organisations as in Derbyshire earlier this week.

Click here to see what we have published.

Pictured:  EMAS and NHS representatives at an equality and diversity event in Derbyshire