West Midlands | Man seriously injured after RTC with ejection in Penn
Penn | 20 Feb 2012
A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a road traffic collision in Penn this morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident involving a single vehicle at 2am.
Two ambulances, an incident support officer in a rapid response vehicle and a BASICS doctor were dispatched to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival at the scene crews found an incident involving a single vehicle.
“A man, believed to be in his 30’s, was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained multiple leg, pelvis and spinal injuries. The man was immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board before being conveyed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.”
West Midlands | More than a dozen people triaged at scenes of two bus RTCs in Nechells and Walsall
Mainstream Way, Nechells, Wolverhampton Road, Walsall | 19 Feb 2012
Two people have been taken to hospital and over a dozen were assessed by medics at the scene of two separate incidents involving buses this afternoon.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called Mainstream Way in Nechells just after 4.30pm following reports of up to six passengers injured after a bus apparently stopped suddenly. In a separate collision in Walsall between a van and bus, ten passengers were reported injured.
In Nechells, an ambulance and paramedic officer in a rapid response car attended the scene and assessed the passengers.
On Wolverhampton Road, Walsall, a collision between a van and bus resulted in two men being treated for minor injuries before being conveyed to Walsall Manor Hospital.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: “The ambulance service attended two separate incidents involving buses within a minute of each other.
“All passengers involved in the Nechells incident where assessed on scene and later released with no patients requiring hospital treatment.
“Ambulance crews and doctors from the Care Team assessed bus passengers in Walsall and later conveyed two male patients to Walsall Manor for further assessment.”
West Midlands | Two people killed, two others seriously injured in high-impact RTC with extrication in Leek
A523, Bottomhouse | 18 Feb 2012
Two people have died and two others have been seriously injured following a road traffic collision in Staffordshire today.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the incident on the A523 in Bottomhouse, Leek at approximately 2.55pm this afternoon.
An ambulance, a senior paramedic officer, a paramedic area support officer, a community first responder and two Midlands Air Ambulances from Cosford and Tatenhill were dispatched the scene. The police and fire service were also in attendance.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “On arrival at the scene crews found two cars that had been in collision.
“The occupants of one vehicle, a man and a woman, were immediately assessed by crews. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save the casualties who were confirmed deceased at the scene.
“The two occupants of the second car, also a man and a woman, were treated at the scene for multiple injuries.
“The passenger, a woman believed to be in her 60’s, was treated for chest and pelvic injuries. The woman was given pain relief and fully immobilised before being airlifted to University Hospital of North Staffordshire.
“The driver, a man also believed to be in his 60’s, was trapped in the vehicle for a period of time. Once freed, with the assistance of the fire service, the man was treated for injuries to both of his legs, wrist and pelvis. The man was given pain relief and fully immobilised before being airlifted to the same hospital for further assessment and treatment.”
West Midlands | Think before dialling 999
West Midlands | 18 Feb 2012
West Midlands Ambulance Service is appealing to the public to think before dialling ‘999’ for an ambulance.
The service is currently experiencing an increase in demand and would remind people that the 999 service is for life-threatening conditions and emergencies, such as choking, chest pain, stroke, serious blood loss or a state of unconsciousness.
Using the ambulance service for its intended purpose (to tend to the critically ill and injured) increases the chance of a speedy response to those in genuine need.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We urge the public to stop and think very carefully before dialling 999 – is your condition of an emergency nature that requires an immediate 999 medical response?
“Very often we receive 999 calls to patients that could have sought treatment or advice from another area of the NHS, whether that be NHS Direct, the local pharmacy, a walk-in centre or a call to their GP, who all operate an out-of-hours service.
“If our crews and vehicles are called inappropriately, it could result in delays in getting to patients with genuine life-threatening illness or injury.
“A common misconception is the belief that patients would be seen more quickly at hospital if they arrived in an ambulance. This is definitely not the case. They would be assessed in the same way with more serious cases brought toward the front of the queue, with everyone else having to wait their turn.
“The Trust’s staff are working hard with colleagues at hospitals around the region to ensure that patients receive the best treatment but the public must play their part in the process. The whole of the NHS is under extreme pressure and the public must be sensible when accessing healthcare, including emergency services.”
West Midlands | Man seriously injured in high-impact RTC with extrication in Stratford Upon Avon
Warwick Road, Grosvenor Hotel | 18 Feb 2012
A man has been seriously injured after the car he was travelling in collided with trees in Stratford Upon Avon in the early hours of this morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the Warwick Road near to the Grosvenor Hotel at around 1.15am (Saturday). An ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and a paramedic area support officer were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The man, believed to be in his 20s, was unconscious and had suffered multiple injuries.
“Due to the serious nature of his condition, ambulance crews quickly freed the man from the badly damaged car to begin emergency treatment. The man suffered a serious head injury and fractures to his leg and arm.
“He was immobilised with a neck collar, spinal board and leg and arm splints before being taken by land ambulance on blue lights to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further assessment and treatment.”
West Midlands | Two people critically injured after house fire in Herefordshire
Jarvis Street, Eckington | 18 Feb 2012
A man and a woman were in a critical condition last night following a house fire in Herefordshire.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Jarvis Street in Eckington in Pershore at around 7.30pm yesterday evening (Friday). Two ambulance crews, a senior paramedic officer and a paramedic area support officer attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The first paramedic arrived on scene to find the fire service tackling a house fire. Two occupants, a man and a woman, were rescued from the fire by fire-fighters.
“The man suffered severe smoke inhalation and was unconscious. The paramedic, joined by the first ambulance crew to arrive, administered emergency treatment to stabilise the patient before he was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to Worcester Royal Hospital.
“The woman was in cardiac arrest. Paramedics with help from fire-fighters and police worked as a team to provide excellent CPR in an attempt to resuscitate her.
“The woman was in a critical condition and was taken by land ambulance on blue lights to the same hospital whilst advanced life support continued on route. Medics at Worcester Royal were pre alerted to the arrival of both patients who, at the time, were said to be in critical conditions.”
Eastern England | Two men treated for hypothermia after car plunges into river in Essex
Lea Road, Waltham Abbey | 20 Feb 2012
Two men have been hospitalised after the car they were travelling in ended up in a frozen river late last night (Sunday, February 19).
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) was alerted to Lea Road in Waltham Abbey at 9.50pm to a report of a car in the middle of a river. Ambulance crews from Cheshunt, Hertford and Waltham Abbey attended the scene.
Ambulance spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “The initial 999 call stated the men were out of the vehicle and sitting on the roof in the middle of the river. Following assessments and treatment by the ambulance crews, they were both taken to Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield suffering with suspected hypothermia.”
Eastern England | Toddler seriously injured in RTC in Biggleswade
Coppice Mead | 20 Feb 2012
A 4-year-old girl has been seriously injured following a road traffic collision earlier this morning (Monday, February 20).
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) was alerted to Coppice Mead at 8.28am to a report of a child trapped underneath a car. Ambulance crews from Biggleswade, Letchworth and Melbourne attended the scene.
Due to the nature of the call, the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) were called upon to attend the incident.
Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “The young girl was very poorly on our arrival and following rapid treatment, stabilisation and immobilisation by land and air ambulance crews, she was flown direct to a specialist trauma centre at the Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridgeshire for further care.”
Scotland | Mumps outbreak at Glasgow University
Glasgow | 17 Feb 2012
Since 7 February 2012, Glasgow University Medical Centre has seen 26 cases of mumps in students attending Glasgow University. The students are between 18 and 22 years of old, both male and female, attend different courses and stay in different places.
Glasgow University has asked all students to contact their GP for MMR vaccine if they have not already had two doses.
MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella and is usually given at the ages of 13/14 months and around four years. Those who have missed doses of vaccine should get MMR vaccine from their GP.
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has contacted all universities and colleges within its area to advise of the outbreak at Glasgow University and urge a reminder to all students in all institutions to obtain vaccine from their GP if they are under-immunised.
Ireland | HPSC urges at risk groups to get vaccinated against flu as cases almost double in a week
Dublin | 17 Feb 2012
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre today (Thursday) urged people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated against influenza, as the number of reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Ireland has almost doubled in the past week.
ILI rates have risen from 15.7 per 100,000 to 26.2 per 100,000 during the second week of February and are now above threshold levels which means that flu is actively circulating in the community, according to Dr Joan O’Donnell, Specialist in Public Health Medicine.
“People who are at risk of the complications of flu need to get vaccinated against the disease now.
“The vaccine is available free of charge from GPs for all people in at risk groups, and from pharmacists for everyone aged 65 and over. An administration charge may apply to people who don’t hold medical cards or GP visit cards.
“Those at risk include:
- Everyone aged 65 years and over
- Anyone over six months of age with a long term illness requiring regular medical follow-up such as chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease or diabetes
- Pregnant women
- Those with lower immunity due to disease or treatment
- Children or teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy
- Residents of nursing homes and other long stay facilities
- Healthcare workers and carers
“People who were vaccinated last year still need to get their flu jab this year as immunity from the vaccine lasts twelve months and wanes over time.
“Flu is different from the common cold. Flu usually develops quickly over a matter of hours and symptoms include a high temperature, sore muscles, dry cough, headache and sore throat. The common cold tends to come on gradually and symptoms usually include a runny nose and a normal temperature. Anyone in the at-risk categories who develops influenza symptoms should contact their GP.
“As influenza is now circulating in the community, health professionals should use antiviral drugs for the treatment or prevention of influenza in high-risk groups.
“Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning your hands as soon as you can are important measures in helping prevent the spread of germs and reducing the risk of transmission.”
ILI rates give an indication of the overall level of influenza activity in Ireland and are reported by selected GPs as part of a surveillance system jointly run by the Irish College of General Practitioners, the National Virus Reference Laboratory and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
The weekly influenza surveillance reports are available at:
Further information on influenza and flu vaccine is available at: