Latest news with #SCAS
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
GoodSAM alert app introduced by South Central Ambulance Service
A system that alerts trained volunteers to medical emergencies nearby is being introduced by an ambulance Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is using the Good Smartphone Activated Medics app - known as GoodSAM - which uses mobile GPS technology to message volunteers within 500m of an is hoped the responders could then begin CPR before an ambulance Harmer, operations manager of SCAS, said it could "dramatically increase the chances of a positive outcome" for cardiac arrest patients. The early delivery of CPR and defibrillation is critical in improving survival rates from cardiac arrest. Every minute without intervention reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%, SCAS first phase of GoodSAM has been introduced in the SCAS area - Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire - as well as Isle of Wight Ambulance Service healthcare professionals and clinically trained individuals are able to aim is to then open it up to trained public volunteers from the registration process includes verification of credentials and training to ensure all responders meet the required Hamer, operations manager for SCAS, said: "By enabling trained responders to reach patients faster, we can dramatically increase the chances of a positive outcome. "This is about saving lives, and we are proud to be part of this initiative."This project has been partly funded by South Central Ambulance Charity, which supports SCAS in enhancing emergency care. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
'Shocking' amount of abuse against ambulance staff
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) has said at least three members of its staff are being abused or attacked every day. The number of violent incidents against UK ambulance staff reached an all-time high in the last 12 months, with 22,536 cases recorded. It is a rise of 15% on the previous year, with 1,147 incidents against employees of SCAS, which covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire. Assistant director of operations at the ambulance service Kirsten Willis-Drewett described the numbers as "shocking". "We have worked with our local police forces to secure convictions against people who have attacked our staff and current legislation can see such perpetrators jailed for up to two years," she said. Within the South Central region, there was an average of just over 95 incidents recorded every month during the last financial year. The types of abuse reported include kicking, punching, head-butting, spitting and sexual assault, and ranged from common assault to significant serious attacks involving weapons. SCAS is backing calls made by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) for the government to do more to help combat the growing number of violent assaults against ambulance workers in the UK. Ms Willis-Drewett said: "With the numbers of such attacks now at record levels, more action at a national level is needed". AACE said alcohol is the most prominent factor in assaults against ambulance staff, followed by drugs and people in mental health crisis. The latest figures have prompted Jason Killens, chair of the association, to write to ministers to explore what else could be done. "These figures are truly shocking and reflect a pattern of increased violence, aggression and abuse directed at hard-working ambulance people who are there to help people in their times of greatest need," he said. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. 'People calling 999 say they're going to kill me' 'Shocking' rise in abuse of ambulance staff 'We're attacked and abused as we try to save lives' South Central Ambulance Service
BBC News
25-04-2025
- BBC News
Abuse of South Central Ambulance staff at 'shocking' levels
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) has said at least three members of its staff are being abused or attacked every number of violent incidents against UK ambulance staff reached an all-time high in the last 12 months, with 22,536 cases is a rise of 15% on the previous year, with 1,147 incidents against employees of SCAS, which covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and director of operations at the ambulance service Kirsten Willis-Drewett described the numbers as "shocking". "We have worked with our local police forces to secure convictions against people who have attacked our staff and current legislation can see such perpetrators jailed for up to two years" she the South Central region, there was an average of just over 95 incidents recorded every month during the last financial year. 'Increased violence' The types of abuse reported include kicking, punching, head-butting, spitting and sexual assault, and ranged from common assault to significant serious attacks involving is backing calls made by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) for the government to do more to help combat the growing number of violent assaults against ambulance workers in the Willis-Drewett said: "With the numbers of such attacks now at record levels, more action at a national level is needed".AACE said alcohol is the most prominent factor in assaults against ambulance staff, followed by drugs and people in mental health crisis. The latest figures have prompted Jason Killens, chair of the association, to write to ministers to explore what else could be done."These figures are truly shocking and reflect a pattern of increased violence, aggression and abuse directed at hard-working ambulance people who are there to help people in their times of greatest need," he said. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Coroner concerns over Reading woman's death after 111 call
An ambulance service has changed its call procedures after the death of a woman in her 80s who called 111 and said she was unable to move from her Millard, 81, from Southcote Lane, Reading, was suffering from sepsis, infected leg ulcers as well as heart and kidney disease in May Robert Simpson said after her initial call a clinician tried to call her back four times, but Ms Millard's phone was engaged and no ambulance was Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said it had changed its procedures so in the future all immobile patients would be asked the same questions. Mrs Millard was found dead the day after she called 111 by a a prevention of future death report Mr Simpson said he had "matters of concern" and there was "a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken".He said when SCAS call takers use the NHS Pathways triage tool, which indicates that if a person is lying on the floor with no reported injuries, they are prompted to ask additional include whether someone else is with them and if they can provide the number of a next of kin, who may be able to attend the caller while they wait for an the same procedure is not applied when someone reports they are stuck in situ, for example they are unable to move from their Simpson said: "My concern is that the additional risks of a long lie, for example rhabdomyolosis, may well apply when someone is unable to move from any position.""I am pleased that they have agreed to amend their procedures swiftly," he added.A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: "We would like to reiterate our sincere condolences to the family of Sandra Millard."South Central Ambulance Service is dedicated to ensuring that we provide a safe service to our patients."Following the inquest into the sad death of Mrs Millard, we have committed to amend our local standard operating procedures to address the concerns raised by HM Coroner. "This will ensure the same detailed questions asked of patients who are unable to get off the floor are asked if a patient is unable to move from any position."NHS England has been contacted for comment. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
29-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
South Central Ambulance Service: Mums and daughters saving lives
Among the dedicated staff answering and responding to 999 ambulance calls, there are two mothers and daughters for whom it is a "family business".Ahead of Mother's Day, two mother-daughter duos who work together saving lives with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) have been speaking to the paramedic Kayleigh Ramsey, working together with her mum Sue has brought them emergency care assistant Kaleigh said having her mum with her as she drove an ambulance was a moment to remember. 'Really surprised' Hannah Frampton and her mum, Sue, have been working together in SCAS since Hannah joined the service 18 years ago as an emergency call then she has worked her way up to become a paramedic. "No day is ever the same, and you can be with people in their hardest moments. If you can make that slightly better for them, that's an honour really," said Hannah. But mum Sue - a trainer and recruiter - admitted that she initially thought her daughter was "squeamish" and did not expect her to have a career in the ambulance service."So when she said she was going to be a paramedic, I was really surprised - but she's done fantastic," she said. They both said they felt lucky to have someone who understands the demands of their job and that working together had brought them closer. "Some people don't want to hear about our job, it's not for everyone," said Hannah. "It is nice to have someone I can discuss it with; I can't always talk to my friends, but I can talk to my mum." 'My absolute best friend' Kayleigh Ramsey and her mum, Debbie, had worked together in the care sector before either of them joined the ambulance service. And in their case, it was actually Kayleigh who encouraged her mum to apply."She would always say to me - 'I wish I could do what you do'," she Kayleigh helping her practice for her interviews, Debbie eventually got a job as a call taker - even going on a few observation shifts with Kayleigh in the ambulance. "One thing I never thought I'd have - I'm driving to a job on blue lights and my mum is sat in the passenger seat with me," said Kayleigh. On occasions, their working lives have overlapped without them even realising it. Debbie recalled being on a night shift taking emergency calls - noting the details of a traffic accident, not knowing that Kayleigh was at the scene. "It got to the end of the call, and I said: 'can I take your name?', said Debbie. "And she said - oh, it's Kayleigh!"They said they are each other's first port of call for support when things get difficult. "If I'm feeling upset, the first person I call is Kayleigh - and the same for her," said Debbie."My mum's my absolute best friend, and I think working together definitely brings us much closer," said Kayleigh. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
