Pre-Hospital Care Podcast

Welcome back to the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast. In this episode, I’m joined by Stephen Wood, emergency nurse practitioner, educator, and host of Tac Medic Whiskey: The Tactical Medicine Podcast. Steve brings a wealth of experience from pre-hospital care, the emergency department, and the tactical environment, and he’s become a prominent voice in the evolving landscape of high-threat medicine. His podcast dives deep into the challenges and innovations of tactical pre-hospital care, blending clinical insight with real-world operational experience.In our conversation, we explore everything from the use of TXA and calcium chloride in trauma to the nuanced decisions between needle decompression and finger thoracostomy. We’ll talk about the importance of team cohesion, the mental toll of working in high-stress environments, and how to build resilience in the field. We also examine emerging technologies, training innovations, and what the future might hold for tactical medics across the globe. Whether you're on the frontline, training the next generation, or just curious about the realities of medicine in hostile or austere environments, this episode offers invaluable insights from an educator and Nurse Practitioner, Steve Wood. You can find the Tac Medic Whiskey Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/tac-medic-whiskey-the-tactical-medicine-podcast/id1777426233** This podcast is for information purposes only and should not replace clinical guidelines or your local service policies. **This podcast is sponsored by PAX.⁠Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovatively designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In today’s episode, we’re honoured to be joined by John Martin, a trailblazer whose career is a testament to innovation, leadership, and an unwavering dedication to patient care.John’s journey began at just 18 in a microbiology lab, but his passion for healthcare quickly led him to the world of emergency medicine. Today, he serves as the Chief Executive of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT). With a wealth of experience across ambulance, acute, and community healthcare settings, John has also been the President of the College of Paramedics, advocating for the advancement of the paramedic profession. As a Visiting Professor in Paramedic Science, he’s helping shape the future of paramedic education and training.In this episode, we’ll dive into John’s leadership transition from London Ambulance Service to SWASFT, the biggest challenges facing pre-hospital care, and the role of technology in modernising emergency response. We’ll also touch on the importance of mental health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and John’s forward-thinking vision for the future of paramedic practice. A link that John mentions in the interview to the Harvard Business School Negotiation Mastery course can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/2f8pdbkcThis podcast is sponsored by PAX.⁠Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovatively designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by Marc Watson, a distinguished pharmaceutical physician and passionate advocate for mental health. Marc’s journey spans from working as a frontline GP to holding senior leadership roles in pharmacovigilance and global medical affairs, where he has been instrumental in ensuring patient safety, meeting regulatory demands, and supporting the launch of transformative medicines. Yet, behind these professional achievements lies a deeply personal story: Marc’s own experience of managing a bipolar diagnosis while navigating high-pressure, high-stakes environments.We’ll explore his shift from clinical practice to the pharmaceutical sector, the emotional toll of leadership, and the practical tools he uses to safeguard his mental well-being. Marc also opens up about his drive to raise mental health awareness, offering honest reflections from his life.This episode is a candid conversation about leadership, resilience, and the power of vulnerability. It highlights the urgent need to normalise mental health discussions, especially in professions where the pressure is relentless. Whether in healthcare, leading teams, or seeking perspective on mental wellness, this episode offers meaningful insight. You can read more on Marc's mental health journey here: https://www.fpm.org.uk/blog/from-surviving-to-thriving-with-my-mental-health/This podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In this episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, we explore the evolving role of ambulance clinicians in palliative and end-of-life care. We’re joined by a dedicated team working to improve how prehospital services support patients in their final months, ensuring care is compassionate, coordinated, and patient-centred.We introduce the team and their roles before breaking down the key concepts of palliative and end-of-life care. We discuss the differences between generalist and specialist palliative care, the challenges of identifying patients in the last year of life, and the critical role ambulance services play in this journey.The conversation then moves to the service gaps and educational challenges identified within prehospital care. We examine referral pathways, tools like SPICT for early identification, and how technology shapes advanced care planning (ACP) to help inform decision-making. The team also highlights the importance of education in building clinician confidence when navigating these complex cases.Looking ahead, we discuss the future of prehospital palliative care, including the role of simulation training, national collaboration, and addressing healthcare inequalities. We also explore opportunities for joint learning, debriefs, and improved care pathways to strengthen the connection between ambulance services and specialist palliative care teams.The SPICT tool can be found here: https://www.spict.org.uk/the-spict/This podcast is sponsored by PAX.⁠Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovatively designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

Today, we're honoured to host Professor Deborah Harding, a distinguished figure in the field of advanced clinical practice. Professor Harding serves as the Supervision Lead for the NHS England for Advancing Practice, where she has been instrumental in developing supervision frameworks that support advanced practitioners across various healthcare disciplines. ​With a rich background as a registered speech and language therapist, Professor Harding has extensive experience in multi-professional management and leadership within the NHS. Her academic pursuits led her to complete a PhD focusing on supervision for allied health professions, culminating in a constructivist grounded theoretical perspective on the subject. ​In her role at City St George's University of London, Professor Harding has led curriculum development for the MSc and integrated degree apprenticeship in advanced clinical practice. Her work emphasises the importance of clinical supervision in supporting the development of advanced clinical practitioners, ensuring they are equipped to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare environments. ​In this episode, we'll explore the critical role of supervision in advanced practice, discuss the challenges practitioners face in pre-hospital care, and gain insights from Professor Harding's extensive research and experience. Stay tuned for an enlightening conversation that sheds light on the future of advanced practice in pre-hospital care. See and read more here: https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/And here: https://thepermeablepractitioner.com/

In this episode, we explore the challenges and contrasts of implementing innovation across the NHS and the private healthcare sector with expert guest Hannah Browning. As the founder of Beyond Excellence, Hannah brings a rare dual-sector insight, having held senior leadership roles in major private providers including Nuffield Health, Spire Healthcare, and HCA, as well as leading on transformative projects like the £120m development of KIMS Hospital.Innovation within the NHS often grapples with structural rigidity, limited funding, and bureaucratic hurdles, whereas the private sector—while faster-moving and more agile—must navigate investor expectations, profitability, and intense market competition. Hannah discusses how both sectors have unique strengths: the NHS offers scale, consistency, and population-wide data, while the private sector excels in responsiveness, customer-centric models, and speed of delivery.She reflects on what each can learn from the other: the NHS could benefit from private-sector pace and accountability, while the private sector might adopt some of the NHS’s commitment to equity and long-term population health outcomes. With real-world examples, including her strategic role in the acquisition and launch of Sevenoaks Medical Centre, Hannah brings a grounded, commercial, and compassionate view on how healthcare systems can evolve—together—for better patient care. You can read more of Hannah's consultancy business here: https://www.alphahealthpartners.co.ukhttps://www.getbide.co.uk

In this episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, we explore the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in trauma care, focusing on the AI Risk Prediction and Decision Support System (AI-TRiPS)—a cutting-edge AI tool designed to enhance decision-making in high-pressure trauma settings.AI-TRiPS is built on Bayesian networks for clinical decision support, bridging the gap between AI development and real-world application. But how do we ensure AI tools are accurate, usable, and trusted by frontline clinicians? We cover:🔹 How AI-TRiPS is being trialled in London’s Major Trauma Centres & Air Ambulance Services🔹 The impact of AI-TRiPS on clinician performance and cognitive load in trauma care🔹 Can AI-driven decision support improve outcomes in stroke, sepsis, and cardiac arrest?🔹 The challenges of integrating AI into pre-hospital care and the resuscitation bayJoin us as we discuss the potential of AI to revolutionise trauma care and what this means for the future of pre-hospital medicine. You can read more about AI-TRiPS here: https://www.londonsairambulance.org.uk/news-and-stories/charity-news/bold-step-forward-our-patients-new-ai-study

In this episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, we’re joined by Sarah Edwards to explore the most frequently encountered paediatric emergencies seen in the field. Sarah Edwards is a Consultant in Adult and Paediatric Emergency Medicine and the RCEM Learning Chair. She is Senior Editor for the Emergency Medical Journal, RCEM Learning Chair and Honorary Secretary for ASME. She also teaches on the Master's of Medical Education course at the University of Sunderland.In this wide-ranging conversation, we examine respiratory infections to asthma exacerbations to gastroenteritis, dehydration, febrile illnesses, and seizures. We unpack the presentations that paramedics and pre-hospital teams face on a daily basis together with some of the red flags for each disease. We’ll discuss how to identify and prioritise care for these conditions in the often-challenging pre-hospital environment, using practical strategies to deliver safe and effective interventions. Sarah shares key insights into assessing sick children, highlighting subtle clinical signs, red flags, and common pitfalls in decision-making under pressure.We also examine trauma in children, including how injury patterns vary across age groups and what immediate management steps are most critical. Finally, the episode touches on the vital role of caregivers and parents in the assessment process. Some useful links that Sarah mentions in the episode include: https://spottingthesickchild.com/The Westley Croup Score: https://handbook.bcehs.ca/clinical-resources/clinical-scores/westley-croup-severity-score/The Big 6 The Most Common Conditions That Children Present With For Urgent Care:https://www.improvingme.org.uk/media/1141/childurgentcaredocument2020.pdfThis podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

The person-centred approach to counselling is built on the foundation of empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. Developed by Carl Rogers, this approach shifts the focus from the therapist as an expert to the client as the central figure in their own healing journey. Rather than directing or diagnosing, the counsellor provides a non-judgmental, supportive space, allowing the individual to explore their thoughts and emotions freely.At its core, this method recognises that each person has the capacity for growth, self-awareness, and healing when given the right environment. The role of the counsellor is to listen deeply, reflect, and validate, helping clients to find their own solutions rather than imposing advice.In pre-hospital and emergency care, where professionals often witness distress and trauma, adopting person-centred communication can make a profound difference. Whether supporting patients in crisis, speaking with families, or debriefing colleagues, approaching conversations with genuine empathy, active listening, and emotional presence fosters trust and resilience.On today’s episode, we’ll explore how this approach applies to medicine, emergency response, and mental health, and how we can all integrate person-centred principles into our professional and personal interactions.Chris Molyneux has spent more than a decade as a counsellor working alongside people who are rediscovering their frame of reference after trauma, and supervising other counsellors who do the same. Chris brings great authenticity through his work and has already had a hugely powerful impact for many healthcare workers. Chris's work can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwrbmKtOAGYChris The Counsellor on YouTube www.youtube.com/christhecounsellor and reach out to Chris on the following email chris@chrismolyneux.co.ukThis is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp In the demanding field of pre-hospital care, having reliable support is crucial. Whether you're a first responder, healthcare professional, or simply facing life's everyday stresses, therapy can equip you with strategies to manage pressure, strengthen resilience, and enhance your mental health.BetterHelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform, connects individuals with licensed therapists via video, phone, or messaging—available anytime, anywhere. With more than 5,000 therapists in the UK, it’s easy to find the right match for your needs. Strengthen your support network with BetterHelp.Listeners receive 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/CAREPOD This podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face, with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into decision-making under pressure with Olly Sapsford, a Firefighter and Commander as well as a Lecturer in Disaster & Emergency Management at Coventry University.We explore the mental models, training, and strategies that support effective decision-making in extreme environments. How do emergency responders manage stress, maintain clarity, and strike the right balance between experience and instinct?Olly shares insights into leadership, teamwork, and the ethical dilemmas professionals face in high-stakes situations. From navigating risk and resource limitations to post-incident reflection, we examine how decision-making frameworks from firefighting can be applied in paramedicine—and vice versa.With a research focus on human factors, socio-cognitive influences, and fast decision-making, Olly sheds light on the role of intuition and expertise in high-pressure environments. Drawing from his talk at the College of Paramedics Emergency and Critical Care Conference, titled ‘From the Fireground: Demystifying Extreme Decision Making for Emergency Responders’, Olly brings a fresh perspective on how responders can refine their approach to critical decision-making when every second counts.Join us as we unpack the strategies that can make the difference between a good decision and a great one in emergency settings.This podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠