News: News

Our teams thank and pay tribute to their firefighter crewmates

Since April of last year, London Fire Brigade firefighters have been working with our Service to support our clinicians, including driving our ambulances and carrying out other supportive roles when crewing with medics.

This partnership began in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic as we put unprecedented numbers of ambulances on the road to respond to the huge increase in calls – and firefighters have remained, in fluctuating numbers, ever since. 

As well as the clear benefits to our Service generally of having firefighters with us to help us crew even more vehicles to respond to patients, many of our ambulance crews have reported that their firefighter crewmates have helped them personally, and many of them wanted to publicly thank their firefighter crewmates.

These are some of their stories.

Trial sees ambulance crews given body-worn cameras

The new kit is being rolled out as part of a trial from today (22 February), starting in areas where our staff and volunteers are considered to be most at risk, based on previous incidents. Medics can press a button to start recording if patients or members of the public become aggressive or abusive.

We pay tribute to a member of our staff who has passed away

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our colleague Jamil Ahmed, who passed away on Monday 8 February with Covid-19.

LGBT History Month – Brooke’s story

LAS is a place everyone should feel they can work. Our differences and who we are make us stronger as an organisation. LGBT History Month is a time for learning and growing together.

Paige and Rob – the “Blue light” couple on winning the wedding of their dreams

On Valentine’s Day, we share Paige and Rob’s story of meeting while both responding to an emergency call-out, falling in love, responding on the frontline during the pandemic and winning their dream wedding.

Medic reunited on shift with the colleague who saved her husband’s life 21 years ago

When medic Ellie began her shift with a new crewmate Dave, she had no idea Dave treated her husband Paul after he was in a hit-and-run 21 years ago. Paul sadly died last year, after never fully recovering – but talking to Dave about the incident gave Ellie some closure.

Service announces that Dr John Martin will join the Trust as Chief Paramedic and Quality Officer

This newly-created role will see Dr Martin also join the board of the country’s busiest ambulance service.

He will provide professional development and guidance to paramedics and other clinical staff. His brief will also help further improve standards of patient care.

Mayor thanks London Ambulance Service and partners working together on Covid-19 front line this winter

In a socially-distanced visit, Mr Khan met call handlers, dispatchers and clinicians from the 999 control room, ambulance crews, fleet workshop teams and blue-light partners from the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade to express his appreciation to those working at this time of unprecedented demand for our services.

Cardiac arrest survivor’s heartfelt thanks to crews and call handler

A Londoner who survived a cardiac arrest in the summer has sent his heartfelt thanks to those at London Ambulance Service who – he says – saved his life.

Call handler paralysed below the waist walking a mile to raise funds for Service’s charity

A London Ambulance Service Emergency Call Handler who suffers with a rare condition which left him paralysed below the waist is walking a mile to raise funds for the Service’s Charitable Fund.

Sean will be walking one mile with his Zimmer frame (in two sessions) on Friday 15 January and Friday 22 January.

Capital’s blue-light services join together to care for Londoners

A new blue-light partnership between London Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police Service will see police officers across the capital driving ambulances and assisting medics to help boost the emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

How you can help us to help you during extremely busy period

It’s a difficult time for us all, but we must ask that you continue to play your part and help us to help you.

Keeping safe and well in the colder weather

With temperatures in the capital becoming colder we are asking Londoners to take additional care during this challenging time so they can stay safe and well.

A drop in temperatures can affect your health and can be especially dangerous for older people, young children and those with underlying health conditions.

We urge Londoners to see in the New Year safely by staying at home

New Year’s Eve will be different this year and we all need to mark the occasion differently – to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe and to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

Please help us to help you during extremely busy time

Like NHS organisations across the country, demand for our services has risen sharply over the past weeks and we are now taking up to 8,000 999 calls a day compared to 5,500 on a typical ‘busy’ day.

To help us reach patients who need us as quickly as we can, we are asking the public to support us by only calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies.

For urgent medical advice when it’s not an emergency, please go to NHS111 online first by going to www.111.nhs.uk.

LAS medic and ambulance dispatcher star in new series of hit health podcast

Two members of Team LAS are to guest on upcoming episodes of the new, fourth series of A&E doctor and TV personality Dr Alex George’s popular podcast, ‘The Waiting Room’.

We launch new collaboration with Professional Footballers’ Association

Through this initiative, which will be followed by others, the Service will regularly communicate future career pathways for PFA members who may be looking for another career after football.

Christmas challenge to support trainee paramedic Paddy

Trainee paramedic Paddy was seriously injured in a motorcycle collision earlier this year.

Last week, in a bid to raise funds for equipment for him, his family started a 12-day challenge, and aim to cover 1,200km by Christmas Day.

So far they’ve raised nearly £20,000!

Our paramedics to help ease pressure on GP services this winter

A new pilot will see London Ambulance Service paramedics working in GP surgeries across the London borough of Merton to help improve the care patients receive and reduce the pressures on GPs this winter.

Five-year-old girl helps save father’s life by dialling 999

Avaana helped to save her dad’s life after finding him collapsed at home from a seizure.

Avaana, who found her dad on the floor and bleeding, quickly dialled 999 and spoke with London Ambulance Service call handler, Tobias, who began giving her instructions on what to do next.