South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has become the first ambulance service in Europe to fit digital alerting to its emergency vehicles, so that road users can be alerted to their presence. SECAmb is testing the system, Safety Cloud by HAAS Alert, which enables real-time alerting between emergency and other vehicles, with the aim of improving road safety. Alerts are del
When 76-year-old Harold Lee experienced sharp chest pain and dizziness at his home in Bognor Regis, his wife immediately called 999, recognising something was seriously wrong. Paramedics Megan Bishop and Lucy Lillywhite arrived within minutes to find Harold visibly unwell. An electrocardiogram (ECG) confirmed Harold was suffering from an ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a life-threateni
It was an unforgettable morning for Maidstone parents Jom and Adam, who found themselves in an extraordinary situation as their son made an unexpected arrival into the world, seven weeks early. On World Prematurity Day, 17 November, the family were able to be reunited with the crew who helped bring Jasper into the world at our Paddock Wood Make Ready Centre. Seeing the flashing blue lights outside
South East Coast Ambulance Service is keen to hear from members of the public willing to take up a voluntary non-clinical support role supporting its frontline teams. Community Resilience Support Volunteers’ primary role will be to crew or drive one of the Trust’s welfare support vehicles, serving welfare facilities including drinks and food to colleagues at times of significant demand or at pre-b
The death of a highly respected and loved ambulance clinician, Ryan O’Bray in July 2024 has left a hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, but his memory is now inspiring a campaign that aims to save lives. The 28-year-old Associate Ambulance Practitioner, known for his kindness and selflessness, worked at the Trust’s Sheppey Ambulance Station for seven years. Ryan’s death has sp
The long service and outstanding achievements of South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) colleagues and volunteers have been recognised in the final of three annual awards events. The Trust’s Sussex ceremony, which took place at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne, on 21 November, brought its awards season to a close with an astonishing more than 2,000 years’ service recognised across the three events
Innovative research into paediatric pre-hospital care took centre stage at the fourth Clinical Research Summit, sparking lively discussions on how to improve emergency care for children. Held on 21 November 2024 at the Holiday Inn, London Gatwick – Worth, and attended by over 50 colleagues, the event featured expert presentations on critical topics such as paediatric head injury management,
A Chertsey paramedic is the inaugural winner of South East Coast Ambulance Service’s Alice Clark Award. The award was introduced in celebration and honour of newly-qualified Paddock Wood Paramedic, Alice Clark, who sadly died in service at the age of 21 in January 2022. Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP) Nicola Buchan picked up the award at the second of SECAmb’s three annual award ceremonies held at
A woman who had a seizure at the wheel of her car was recently able to reunite with the crew who helped to get her to safety. Sue Norris, now aged 74, from Wainscott was driving across Rochester Bridge on 9 August 2020 when she suffered a seizure at the wheel and collided with a road sign. Thanks to the quick thinking of a passerby, they immediately called 999 and within four minutes, Operational
Members of the public will have the chance to learn more about how we are empowering our colleagues to make positive changes to improve patient care at our next virtual community forum event. Open to anyone with an interest in the ambulance service, the event will take place between 11:00 to 12:30 on Tuesday, 26 November. Providing insight in how we are giving colleagues the chance to develop thei