Got a story? Tell the Press Office: 01384 246 496 or 07909 528 550 or email pressoffice@wmas.nhs.uk

This Month.... October 2019

Senior Leadership is Increased for Winter Restart A Heart Day is a Big Success Over 100 Compliments in a Month Hollymoor Hub Named Top Mentors Once More Man Reunited With Crew Who Saved His Life HOSC Thanks Staff Changes to Trust Board Trust to Get New Health Check Equipment Man Attacked Paramedic Who Was Trying to Help

Got a story? Tell the Press Office: 01384 246 496 or 07909 528 550 or email pressoffice@wmas.nhs.uk

Got a story? Tell the PRESS OFFICE by

calling 01384 246 496 or 07909 528 550 - alternatively email

pressoffice@wmas.nhs.uk

HER MAJESTY PRESENTS HONOUR TO STEVE

Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Steve Wheaton received his Queen’s Ambulance Medal (QAM) at Windsor Castle last month...page 2

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Her Majesty Presents Honour to Steve It was a day that he will never forget; Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer Steve Wheaton received his Queen ’s Ambulance Medal (QAM) from the Monarch herself at an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle last month. Steve, whose career spans almost 30 years, was recognised in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List. He was recognised for his dedication and distinguished service to the ambulance sector. Steve said: “It was a very proud day for me and my family who came to the ceremony with me. It truly was a day to remember, made even more special by the fact it was the Queen herself who presented me with the QAM. Her Majesty asked about WMAS and also how busy the ambulance service is. I would also like to thank the many people around the country who have sent me such lovely messages about the day and receiving the medal; it really is humbling.” Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, added: “Since meeting Steve 15 years ago, I have watched him progress and flourish within the ambulance service to become a knowledgeable and well-respected individual in his field. I am incredibly proud that he has been recognised in this way and would like to thank him for his tremendous service and for the thousands of patients he has helped along the way.” Please turn to the front page to see a picture of Steve receiving his QAM.

Increased Senior Leadership During Winter The winter months are often the most difficult for the Trust with a range of challenges facing the running of the service: weather, sickness, hospital delays are among the many that have to be factored into deciding on resourcing levels. For those reasons, the Trust has introduced additional management support for staff. As well as the Strategic On-Call arrangements, a senior officer is now working on site at Trust Headquarters seven days a week. Monday to Friday they are in the Emergency Operations Centre from 15:00 - 23:00hrs with a 10:00 – 22:00hrs shift at the weekend. The senior officer will work with the Strategic Operations Cell, Hospital Desk, HALOs, Tactical Incident Commanders and the on-call tactical team to ensure crews get the support they need to operate as effectively as possible. Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “Our primary role is to do everything possible to protect the welfare and safety of WMAS staff and ensure patients get a timely response. The Trust has a strong set of arrangements in place to manage the Services and the response to unforeseen circumstances. The Strategic and Tactical Commanders in post are all fully trained and are ready to respond to high demand pressures, hospital issues, serious incidents, even specialist incidents.”

Restart a Heart Day Success As ambulance staff know better than most, in a cardiac arrest, every second counts. It’s one of the reasons why the Trust takes part in Restart a Heart Day. This year’s event took place on Wednesday 16th October and it was a huge success. Across the region, WMAS staff were joined by community first responders, local businesses, students and lecturers from some of our universities and other NHS staff and trained an astonishing number of people in how to carry out CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), supported by the British Heart Foundation. In total, almost 67,000 people were trained to be lifesavers! Head of Operational Information and Planning, Nick Henry, said: “The numbers trained this year were up by over 80% compared to last year; a magnificent effort by all involved. Each of the Community Response Managers played their part in organising the events but I would pay tribute to Cliff Medlicott in particular who was lead the project. There is no question that such an amazing effort will lead to a life or lives being saved because people knew what to do.” Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, added: “My congratulations to everyone involved in this amazing success story. We saw people of all ages learning this new skill, which we know is so important. Thank you to everyone involved; you should be incredibly proud of your achievements.”

Area 2018 2019

Birmingham & the Black Country 12,125 18,932

Coventry & Warwickshire 9,634 9,741

Staffordshire 7,033 22,463

West Mercia 8,262 15,644

Total 37,054 66,780

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Over 100 Compliments in a Month The number of members of the public who are taking the time to contact the Trust to say ‘thank you’ continues to be over 100 a month. During September a total of 113 compliments were received by the Trust. Dudley Hub led the way this month with no fewer than 13 with Erdington on 11 and Hollymoor, Shrewsbury and Erdington on nine. It is worth noting that the Patient Transport Service, Emergency Operations Centres and Hazardous Area Response Team also all received compliments. Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “Once again, I cannot thank staff enough for the work that they do to help people in their hour of need. We see people, often at their worst, or possibly the worst day of their lives. Despite this, dozens of people every month think the care they provide is so special that they put pen to paper, fingers to keyboard to say ‘thank you’ – we should never forget that – it speaks volumes for what my staff do, whatever their role within the service. Every single member of staff should celebrate these messages because we all play our part in making them happen.”

Hollymoor Scoop Top Mentor Award from the University of Worcester The annual Mentor Awards Ceremony took place at the University of Worcester last month which saw Hollymoor Hub scoop the top prize again. The event, which celebrates the help and support given to WMAS mentors to university students, took place at the university campus. Kim Nurse, Director of Workforce and OD proudly presented ‘Mentor of the Year’ awards to (clockwise from top left) Ben Rhodes from Dudley, Ben Jones from Strensham, Sarah Ashford from Hollymoor and Tony Mason from Hereford. At the end of the ceremony, the top prize of ‘Outstanding Practice Learning Environment’ was awarded to Hollymoor Hub for the second year running (far right). Tim Hughes, Senior Operations Manager for the Hub, said: “I am incredibly proud of all the mentors at Hollymoor in achieving this award for the second year running. They put in a lot of hard work in ensuring students receive the support and mentorship to become our future paramedics. Well done to Sarah and her colleagues from across the region in being awarded Mentors of the Year.” Kim Nurse said: “Congratulations to everyone who received an award on the night, they were very well deserved and Hollymoor Hub should be especially proud for being recognised once more. Our mentors play an important part in our students lives by helping to nurture and support them on their journey to qualifying. I’d like to say thank you to each and every one of our mentors for the work that you do.”

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Man Reunited with Crew Who Saved His Life A man who suffered a cardiac arrest whilst out running in Telford is alive today thanks to early bystander CPR and the ambulance service. Peter Corr, 46, and his wife Joanne were reunited with the ambulance staff who came to his aid when his heart stopped on 12th September. The couple, who have three children, recently met the four bystanders who gave excellent CPR to Peter until paramedic Ben Gumsley, Operations Manager Martin Sproston and student paramedic Rosie Tudor arrived on scene within minutes of the 999 call being made. The couple invited Ben, Martin and Rosie along to their home last week to personally thank them for their efforts. Talking to the Shropshire Star, Ben, said: “It especially nice for us to find out that Peter had young children and that we had given someone back to their family where they should be. They have got their dad. "It was great that these guys were able to provide basic life support which made our job easier. They kept his heart beating so that we could shock it back into a regular rhythm." Peter is now appealing for people to learn CPR to help save more lives by joining forces with WMAS to teach schoolchildren life-saving skills. (photo: Shropshire Star).

They Are the True Heroes The father of two girls who were murdered by their mother has paid tribute to ‘the amazing people’ who tried to save his daughter’s lives. Louise Porton was jailed for 32 years after killing Lexi and Scarlett in 2018. The girl’s father, Christopher Draper, wrote to Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh asking to meet the staff who attended the incidents, ‘to express my grateful thanks for the outstanding efforts they all gave to my children in their attempts to save their lives.” Mr Draper met crews from Coventry and Warwick Hubs along with staff from Tollgate and Millennium Point EOCs at a ceremony at Warwick Hub. In his letter, Mr Draper said: “I can only imagine what these men and women have to put up with and see in the course of their work. I wish them all the luck in the world, they are the true heroes of our world today.” He added that it must have taken strength to relive their experiences during the trial, memories that might never go away. He added: “They will always have a place in my heart and I will always be in their debt.” All of the staff were presented with Chief Officer Commendations by Mr Marsh at the ceremony where they met Mr Draper and his father. Mr Marsh, said: “These were terrible incidents and we cannot begin to imagine what Mr Draper has been through. These awards recognise the professionalism shown by each of the staff involved.”

HOSC Thanks Staff At a recent meeting of Worcestershire County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC), the members unanimously agreed that they should write to WMAS to say ‘thank you’ for all the efforts staff have made to providing an ‘Outstanding’ service. In his letter to Trust Chief Executive Anthony Marsh, Committee Chair, Paul Tuthill said: “I wold like to thank your senior management and the staff on the results of the recent CQC inspection and retaining the crown of the best Ambulance Service. The Committee asked that thanks be passed on to all your staff, as well as to yourself for your continued leadership of the organisation.” Mr Marsh, said: “It is pleasing that the work of you the staff and the management has been recognised by an independent group such as the HOSC. The fact that they specifically note both groups is one that I share; it is a team effort that allows us to perform so well. Whatever role you play within the Trust, each and every one of you plays an integral part in providing excellent patient care.”

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Trust Receives Award from Central Mosque Representatives from West Midlands Ambulance Service, police and fire were the recipients of an award from faith leaders at Birmingham Central Mosque last month. Lead Imam, Mohammad Asad, said: “The event was to express our gratitude on behalf of the community for the great work you do in protecting the public by putting your lives in danger.” Emergency Planning Manager, Keith Nevitt and Erdington Paramedic Tahira Parveen represented the Trust. Keith gave a short speech outlining the work of the Trust and our commitment to make the staffing truly representative. He said: “I was privileged to be involved in the event to represent WMAS. The engagement at the event was fantastic with lots of people coming up to us, all sharing positive stories of interactions they’ve had with WMAS. There was also complete condemnation on attacks of emergency workers. Everyone we met were exceptionally welcoming and appreciative of the ambulance service.” Tahira said: “I had a wonderful time, but it was a truly humbling experience. It was an absolute pleasure to talk about the hard work and effort we all put into providing an outstanding service.”

Finance Team Lands Hospitable Award There was plenty to smile about for members of the Trust’s Finance Team when they won an award at a London ceremony. Elaine Weaver and Gill Robertson represented the Trust at the London VAT Conference, at which the Trust was named the most Hospitable Trust. Taking place at Woburn

House in Tavistock Square, Gill and Elaine collected the award based on the Trust being the most accommodating, helpful and friendly and the VAT advisor visits. In total there were representatives from 88 NHS Trusts at the event with WMAS overcoming competition from Bedford Hospital Trust, Isle of Wight Trust and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust to win the award.

Proud@WMAS Network Nominated for Top Award The Trust’s Proud@WMAS Network has been shortlisted for a prestigious Inclusive Company Award. After missing out last year, the network has gone one better to be shortlisted in the Outstanding Diversity Network category. The Awards are committed to honouring the outstanding achievements of inclusive employers and diversity champions. The awards ceremony takes place on Thursday 28th November in Manchester. Network Chair, Ash Deakins, said: “To be shortlisted is a fantastic achievement and just reward for the incredible amount of hard work that so many people have put into making it as successful as it is.” Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, added: “This is excellent news and fully deserved. Congratulations on everyone connected with the network for being shortlisted.”

VPO Shennie Named ‘Adult Learner of the Year’ at Dudley College A vehicle preparation operative (VPO) from Hollymoor Hub was presented with an award by Dudley College recently which recognised her commitment to her studies. Shennie Swain has been undertaking maths and English qualifications. Her tutor nominated her for an award and, during the event, was presented with the ‘Adult Learner of the Year’ award. Shennie said: “I needed to update my Maths/English qualifications to progress further within the service and was directed to Dudley College. The support given from the tutors was amazing and the course meant that I was able to study and work at the same time which was a huge benefit.” Diane Pittom, Apprenticeship and Widening Participation Officer, said: “Shennie was one of our first group of learners who started functional skills classes in November 2018; twelve members of staff have achieved level 2 functional skills in maths and seven in English. This is a great result and demonstrates a great partnership with Dudley College. A special thanks to Ben Hodgson, their tutor.”

News…….

Amy is Proof That Strokes Can Affect Anyone To coincide with World Stroke Day, which took place on Tuesday 29th October, Emergency Operations Centre call assessor Amy Keogh shared her story of when she suffered a stroke aged 19. Strokes can affect any one, no matter how old or young. Amy featured in a series of videos that were shared across the Trust’s social media channels and viewed more than 25,000 times, as well as featuring in a radio interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester. Amy suffered her stroke in 2019 and was told afterwards by her dad that had her nan suffered the same symptoms, he would have automatically known it was a stroke, but because of Amy’s age, it didn’t occur that it could be a possibility. Amy suffered headaches, sickness, vision loss and lost the use of her right leg, which ultimately led to her falling and ending up hospital, where she was diagnosed as having suffered a stroke. She said: “There is a common belief amongst people that strokes don’t happen to young people, but I am proof that they do. I had no idea that you could be affected so young by a stroke, you only ever hear of it in elderly people. That is why I am desperate to get the message out there and make people aware that unfortunately, they can happen to anyone. If you think you are suffering any stroke-type symptoms, please dial 999 immediately.”

Fast Jet and Helicopter Crash in Ironbridge It’s the sort of call no member of staff would want to receive; a report of a fast jet and a helicopter crashing, and thankfully, on this occasion, it was just an exercise. The ‘incident’ was designed to test the RAF’s response to the scenario, but Exercise Fallen Acorn also involved a range of other agencies including West Midlands Ambulance Service, Shropshire Fire & Rescue, West Mercia Police, Staffordshire University and the Environment Agency. Development Tactical Incident Commander Jo Hardwick, who was involved in the organisation, said: “The scenario involved two crash sites, 13 casualties and the pilot of the fast jet still being mechanically stuck in the wreckage of his aircraft after the ejector seat failed to go off. This was a chance for three ambulance crews, four Operational Managers, a National Inter-Agency Liaison Officer and the Tactical Incident Commander to test their understanding of such a complex incident.”

Changes Are Made to the Trust Board After many years of relative stability, when the Trust Board met in October there were a number of changes to those round the table. It was the first meeting for Mushtaq Khan (top left) as a voting member. He takes over from Tony Murrell who retired after 12 years of service with the Trust. Mohammed Fessal (bottom right) has joined the Trust as part of the NHSI NExT Director scheme. His post is for an initial six month period, which can be extended to 12 months. The scheme is designed to give an understanding of the role of Non-Executive Director with the view of helping to find and support the next generation of talented people to become non-executive directors in the NHS. With Diane Scott retiring, Craig Cooke (top right) becomes a voting member of the Board of Directors. Pippa Wall (bottom left) also joins the Board as the interim Strategy & Engagement Director a non-voting position. You can find the Board papers via the Trust Website in the ‘About Us’ section.

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They Were Just Doing Their Jobs A man has been jailed for attacking two paramedics after being on the run for two years. The attack took place in Newcastle Under Lyme in September 2016 when an ambulance was called to treat Daniel Adams, 26, of Croft Avenue, Porthill. He had been assaulted but when he was receiving treatment on the ambulance he began to thrash about and injured a female paramedic. Her colleague was also injured as Adams tried to leave the vehicle. Adams, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating and failing to surrender to bail. His plea to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm was on a reckless basis. He was jailed for 12 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Judge David Fletcher said: “The paramedics are people whose expertise we members of society are entirely dependent on. Their job is difficult enough as it is. They are dealing with extremely stressful and difficult situations. The ABH was reckless by your thrashing around in the rear of the ambulance when under the influence of, no doubt, a large amount of alcohol. This was someone, a servant of the public, doing her job.”

Trust Set to Get New Health Check Equipment Staff from across the region will soon be able to receive free health checks at work thanks to equipment provided by Unison. Following the huge success of health check events at Trust HQ run by Dudley Council’s wellbeing team, the Trust’s Health and Wellbeing Steering Group and Unison have been working to provide this service at all locations. Two areas of focus for the group were efficiency savings of holding events elsewhere and the flexibility of accommodating staff working shifts. The solution came from Unison who have kindly purchased the complete health and wellbeing kit, a full body analyser and blood pressure monitor, for the benefit of all WMAS staff. The equipment will rotate around the region and each hub/location will keep the equipment for a few weeks where there will be staff, who are currently being trained, to provide health checks to colleagues. (Pictured: Reena Farrington, Ray Lloyd, Liz Gregory and Tracy Jones (seated).

Man Attacked Paramedic Trying to Help Him A man who attacked a paramedic who was trying to help him in a West Bromwich street has been jailed. Scott Jones lashed out several times as police tried to lift him into the back of the emergency vehicle following a disturbance. The incident happened on August Bank Holiday Monday. The court heard that the 23-year-old was extremely drunk when police tried to get him onto the ambulance. Instead he refused, instead dropping to the ground and kicking out wildly. During that time, the paramedic was struck several times, falling backwards and injuring his back. Jones also caused £200 of damage to the ambulance door, which meant it could no longer be closed, causing it to be taken out of service until it was repaired. Jones, of Young Street, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing offensive weapons, assaulting a paramedic, criminal damage and two cases of threatening behaviour. Sentencing him to 16 months in prison, Judge Barry Berlin said: “You kicked out at an emergency worker, who was there to help you, and injured his back as a result.”

WMAS Presents at Research Conference The College of Paramedics Research Conference took place in Cardiff and saw Trusts, partner organisations and universities from across the UK give updates from ambulance research projects. Research Paramedics Josh Miller and Imogen Gunson went along to the conference which was attended by around 120 delegates, to present findings on the ACUTE trial of high-pressure oxygen masks. Imogen (pic) discussed a poster display with delegates which showed how electronic patient record (EPR) was used to determine the number of patients with acute respiratory failure that WMAS attends. Meanwhile, Josh presented on stage about the overall results of the study, which concluded that a definitive trial of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) for NHS ambulance services is not recommended at this time. Imogen said: “We have long believed we attend high volumes of patients with breathing difficulties, however not been able to really quantify it, however having EPR has enabled this piece of work to be completed over a whole 12 month period showing how many patients we attend with acute respiratory failure which is only a subset of all the patients with breathing difficulties we attend to.”