News: News

Trauma medics use 999 callers’ mobile phone camera to help most seriously injured people in the capital

Trauma paramedics are using 999 callers’ mobile phone cameras to get ‘on-scene’ at serious incidents such as stabbings and road traffic collisions in seconds rather than minutes.

In the first use of the technology in the capital for serious trauma incidents, paramedics in the London Ambulance Service control room ask 999 callers’ to remotely access their smartphone cameras to quickly understand a patient’s injuries and help decide if resources like London’s Air Ambulance are needed.

If a caller gives permission, they are sent a text asking them to click and accept a link which then sends a stream from their camera phone to the medics in the control room. The platform also has technology medics can use to measure a pulse from the video stream and also can instantly locate the caller.

Patient who assaulted ambulance staff during medical treatment convicted

A man who groped a medic who was helping to treat him for a head injury has been found guilty of sexual assault.

Sabeh Shalmair was placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years, ordered to do 120 hours of community service, and given a £250 fine.

Emergency Ambulance Crew medic Lizzie Smith, 25, and a colleague were called to an altercation in Willesden High Road, NW10, one Friday night in June this year.

While treating Shalmair in the ambulance for facial cuts, he stared at Lizzie repeatedly and tried to maintain long periods of eye contact, making her uncomfortable. When she reached across the ambulance to put something in a bin, he grabbed her bottom.  Police were already on the scene for the altercation and Shalmair was later arrested.

Safety warning as fireworks are aimed at our ambulance crews

On Saturday night (2 November) a firework was aimed at one of our ambulance crews who were driving on blue lights and sirens to an emergency in Finsbury Park.

The firework exploded near the windshield of the ambulance forcing the crew to swerve and perform an emergency stop. Luckily the crew weren’t treating a patient in the back of the ambulance, but the incident could have delayed or stopped them getting to a patient who needed them, or even have harmed them. 

Celebrating Black History Month

We are so proud to serve one of the most diverse cities in the world, and even prouder of the culture and histories of our staff, so all month we’ve been celebrating Black History Month.

Teacher saved by bystander after cardiac arrest organises for school kids to learn CPR

A teacher whose heart stopped and a bystander who helped medics to save her have joined the appeal for Londoners to ‘step in and be a lifesaver’.

We’re named the most improved NHS Trust for our freedom to speak up culture

We’ve been recognised as the most improved NHS Trust in England for our speaking up culture in the Freedom to Speak Up Index 2019 awards. 

Our FTSU Guardian, Katy said: “I’m really proud we have been presented this award. It’s not just a measure of FTSU, but reflects all the changes we’ve made to improve our response to concerns raised by our staff, managers, unions and previous guardians.”

Ambulance service calls on Londoners to learn life-saving skills to have the confidence to save a stranger

Figures released for World Restart a Heart Day show that just 49% of people in London would give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a stranger.

Pioneering digital project improving patient care wins award

Our digital project which gives front line ambulance crews secure and remote access to patients’ health records for the first time in the NHS has won an award. We received […]

A ‘Perfect Day’ for those in need of urgent and emergency care in north east London

On Monday 30 September, we joined our health partners in north eat London to embark on a ground-breaking event to reduce the number of people being taken unnecessarily to hospital by ambulance, while delivering better patient care and outcomes.

On the ‘Perfect Day’, just 48.9% of the 505 patients who needed assistance from 999 between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm needed to go to hospital, meaning that over 51% of patients were able to be treated at, or nearer to, home.

Lowering the number of patients being taken unnecessarily to hospital and treating more patients closer to home is better for patients, better for families and better for the NHS.

“You can learn how to save a life anywhere” Paramedic teaches Inca Trail trekkers life-saving skills 13,000ft above sea level

Paramedic Justin has taught life-saving skills to a group of trekkers at one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu to help raise money for the charity British Heart Foundation and raise awareness of the importance of learning life-saving skills.

Trauma surgeon hails London Ambulance Service’s pioneering role in curbing knife violence

One of the country’s leading trauma surgeons has hailed the pioneering role of the London Ambulance Service (LAS) in helping to tackle knife violence which he describes as ‘endemic’ in the capital.

The Service announces new leadership structure to support pioneering strategy

At our Annual Public Meeting today (24 September) we will announce our new leadership structure, implemented on 2 September. 

Eighteen months into the London Ambulance Service’s ambitious strategy to better support the wider NHS by integrating urgent care across the whole capital, the Trust today will announce its new top team.

Emergency services thanked as new statistics reveal extent of abuse

Emergency services heroes will receive a ‘thank you’ for the vital job they do as figures released today reveal the scale of physical and verbal abuse they face in the line of duty.

On Friday (20 September) teams from London Ambulance Service, the Metropolitan Police Service and London Fire Brigade will mark the first ever ‘Awesome Movement Day’ celebration which calls on the public to show appreciation for their work

Ambulance chiefs issue advice on staying well in hot weather

Ahead of the capital experiencing very hot weather this week, we are sharing advice on staying safe and well in the heat.

“If it wasn’t for the London Ambulance Service, my wife and daughter, I wouldn’t be here now.”

A man has been reunited with staff from London Ambulance Service who saved his life after he collapsed at home in cardiac arrest.

Celebrating our history at the City of London annual Cart Marking ceremony

Our 1949 Daimler ambulance was one of the stars of the show at this year’s annual Cart Marking ceremony hosted by the City of London.

Gym lifesaver and survivor join lifesaving skills training session

A gym-goer and the man he saved have been reunited at a lifesaving skills teaching session at the gym where the collapse happened.