Pre-Hospital Care Podcast

In this podcast episode, we explore critical topics that significantly impact maternal and neonatal outcomes, with insights shared by Camella Main, a Consultant Midwife with over 12 years of experience. Camella has extensive experience in both hospital and pre-hospital settings, managing high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. She serves as the Lead Midwife for the London Ambulance Service and a Consultant Midwife for East Midlands Ambulance services, emphasising evidence-based practices and improving outcomes. Key discussion points include the latest guidelines and best practices for neonatal care, especially in rural and remote settings. Emerging trends and strategies to optimise neonatal care are also covered. Camella addresses various challenges in providing pre-hospital care to pregnant women and newborns, highlighting the importance of proper thermal care for newborns immediately after delivery. Recommended techniques and equipment for neonatal thermal care are discussed. Further, the podcast delves into recognising key signs and symptoms indicating active labour and imminent birth, effective maternal positions for delivery, and critical steps to care for both mother and newborn immediately after delivery. Camella also discusses the importance of escalating care to critical care teams, considerations for the safe transportation of pregnant women and newborns, and collaboration between pre-hospital services and hospitals to optimise care. Emerging trends and research areas in pre-hospital maternal and neonatal care that show promise for improving outcomes are also explored.

This is the second in the four-part series on anatomical trauma with some of the world's leading experts in specialist pre-hospital care. In this episode, we are examining pelvic trauma. In this discussion, I speak with Ash Vasireddy, a fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon at King’s College Hospital, London, specialising in complex fractures. We explore the critical nature of pelvic trauma, covering topics such as pre-hospital prevalence, injury classification, and management strategies, including REBOA's potential in air ambulance services. In the conversation, Ash shares insights from his extensive experience, including training at major trauma centres in the UK and the US. We also discuss pre-hospital assessment, common issues in orthopaedic trauma, and lessons from practice, concluding with key take-home messages and a review of pelvic fracture classifications.  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 chat with Alex Mair, a paramedic who qualified in 2022 after studying in Australia. Alex discusses her journey of starting her career in Australia and continuing it in the UK, far from her home and support systems, and goes on to share insights into the challenges she has faced both clinically and holistically. She highlights the key differences between pre-hospital ambulance paramedicine practices in the UK and Australia, offering valuable lessons she has learned from both systems. Alex reflects on the balance between support and autonomy for newly qualified paramedics (NQPs) in the UK and whether it is conducive to their development. She shares her most profound personal reflections from working in the UK and suggests improvements to address burnout in pre-hospital care. We delve into Alex's podcasting journey as the host of the Student Paramedic Podcast. She reveals what inspired her to start the podcast, how it has evolved, and how managing it has enriched her paramedic practice. Please check out her fantastic podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-student-paramedic-podcast/id1538672787 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/⁠

This is the first in the four-part series on anatomical trauma with some of the world's leading experts on specialist pre-hospital care. In today's episode, we delve into the complexities of assessing and treating thoracic injuries in pre-hospital care. We'll cover a range of topics, including pneumothorax, haemothorax, and flail chest. Our discussion will span the primary and secondary survey, airway management considerations, and the efficacy and evolution of modern interventions such as needle decompression. To bring these concepts to life, we'll examine real-life cases that highlight the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in the field. Joining me is Geoff Healey, a distinguished Prehospital and Retrieval Physician with Sydney HEMS. Geoff also serves as a Consultant Anaesthetist at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney and the Deputy Medical Manager for Sydney HEMS. With extensive experience in Australia's and the UK's Prehospital and Retrieval Systems, Geoff brings invaluable insights into our conversation. Additionally, he is an active member of the NSW Taskforce Urban Search and Rescue Team and has been deployed on numerous humanitarian missions worldwide. We unpack the intricacies of thoracic trauma management in pre-hospital settings, guided by Geoff's expert knowledge and frontline experiences.

In today's episode, we'll explore some of the key resources around breaking bad news and innovative approaches to building compassionate systems and individuals. Our guest shares her insights on the latest trends and best practices in breaking bad news and treatment of PTSD. We also explore some of the key resources available on EmergencyResilience.com, including Alex's organic story, breaking bad news and the fundamental elements of how to do this well. We also examine PTSD and the use of ketamine therapy based on Alex's PhD thesis. Alexandra Jabr is an accomplished emergency medical professional, educator, and advocate for mental health and resilience among first responders. With a career spanning over two decades, Alexandra has dedicated her life to the service of others, specialising in EMS and paramedic training. Her extensive experience in the field, coupled with a Master's degree in Mental Health and Wellness with an emphasis on Grief and Bereavement in first responders. Her PhD focussed on the use of Ketamine integrative therapy to treat PTSD in Firefighters. In addition to her fieldwork, Alexandra is a passionate educator, teaching numerous EMS courses that prepare the next generation of emergency responders with practical, real-world knowledge. She is also a prolific writer and speaker, contributing regularly to industry publications and websites like EmergencyResilience.com. Her work emphasises the importance of resilience, not just in physical preparedness but also in mental health and emotional endurance. 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/⁠

Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of the College of Paramedics, joins us in this episode. With over 25 years of experience, Tracy has significantly influenced the evolution of Paramedicine, from her early days as a paramedic to becoming the first registered paramedic on an NHS Trust Board of Directors. This conversation delves into the advancement of paramedicine over the last decade, the College of Paramedics' journey toward Royal College status, and the pressing issue of handover delays. We also explore the Paramedic Wellness Programme, the importance of International Paramedics Day, and the College's relationship with the HCPC. Mental health, especially its increasing focus in recent years, is also a key topic. Join us as we explore the past, present, and future of the paramedic profession.

In this episode, we will speak with two distinguished guests who are leaders in critical care. Joining us from Cardiff University is Sharon Norman, the course lead for the Masters in Critical Care program at the Russell Group University. Sharon is a senior nurse by background and has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and ensuring it meets the evolving demands within critical care. From across the Atlantic, we have Adam Greene, Adam is the director of Critical Care at the British Columbia Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) in Canada. Adam brings a wealth of practical experience and insights from his extensive educational background and critical care career spanning over 15 years. In this episode, we will explore the intricacies of the Masters in Critical Care program, discuss the integration of technology and interdisciplinary learning and examine the career opportunities that await graduates. We'll also tackle the current challenges and future trends in critical care, offering valuable advice for those considering this demanding yet rewarding field. To find out more about the University of Cardiff's online MSc in Critical Care please see here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/critical-care

This episode continues our series on traumatic bleeding, focusing on the use of blood transfusions in prehospital settings. While blood transfusions are life-saving for haemorrhagic shock, evidence on prehospital blood use is mixed. Civilian and military studies show improved outcomes with prehospital blood, but the 2022 RePHILL trial found no superiority over sodium chloride for trauma-related hemorrhagic shock - https://www.thebottomline.org.uk/summaries/icm/rephill/. Despite this, haemostatic resuscitation has evolved to be the standard care for bleeding-induced shock in the UK. Currently, only physicians in HEMS systems can administer prehospital blood under UK paramedic guidelines, with paramedics limited to using sodium chloride. The 2007 Manchester Arena bombing inquiry considered frontline ambulances carrying blood products but deemed it infeasible for clinical and logistical reasons. It recommended that specialist teams, such as the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), carry freeze-dried plasma. Southwestern Ambulance Service HART has since trialed Lyoplas. This episode discusses paramedic-administered blood products outside of HEMS systems, featuring Dr. Peter Chesney, Lt. Col. (retired) Randy Shaffer, and Dr. Chesney, a pediatric emergency physician and medical director in South Florida. Lt. Col. Shaffer, a former Emergency and Trauma nurse in the U.S. Army, established prehospital programs and walking blood banks during her deployments and has since worked on regional blood coalition initiatives. Dr. Chesney, a seasoned trauma surgeon, has received numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Clinical Research Achievement Award, and co-founded the international damage control resuscitation educational program. This episode is sponsored by the International Critical Care Paramedic Group (ICCPG): The ICCPG are dedicated to advancing global Paramedicine through knowledge sharing and improved communication. Join their second conference on January 30, 2025, following the success of their 2022 event, which united over 600 paramedics worldwide. This virtual event will feature detailed case studies and in-depth clinical, training, leadership, and research discussions. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with peers and learn from international experts. For more details, contact Christian Wiggin at christian.wiggin@collegeofparamedics.co.uk This podcast is sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire. The University of Hertfordshire’s MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice offers flexible, part-time study with some online options. Students can choose between two pathways: Primary and Urgent Care or Emergency and Critical Care. The program includes modules in leadership, coaching, and independent prescribing. Expert, research-active staff with national and international profiles deliver innovative teaching using online, VR, and simulation technology. With over 25 years of heritage, the program promises excellent career prospects and opportunities for further research through Masters by research and PhDs. Please see here for further details: https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-masters/msc-advanced-paramedic-practice2?utm_campaign=pg_maincycle24&utm_medium=pre_hosp_care_podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_id=paramedic

In this episode, we will look at the innovative Walking Blood Donor program as a collaborative effort between the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Blood Services. This program has revolutionised the way blood is provided to troops deployed in remote and austere environments. Today's guest will take us behind the scenes, explaining how troops are pre-screened and readied to become walking blood donors. We'll delve into the intricate logistics of collecting, processing, and administering whole blood transfusions in the field. To do this I am joined by Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Beckett, MD. Andrew is a highly experienced trauma surgeon and critical care physician in the Royal Canadian Medical Services. He has served on multiple overseas military missions, providing lifesaving care in austere environments. Andrew’s research interests include massive transfusion, combat casualty data management, and military simulation training. Currently an assistant professor of surgery at McGill University, he plays a vital role in advancing battlefield medicine and ensuring optimal care for wounded soldiers. To read more on this program please see here: https://www.blood.ca/en/stories/blood-war-zones-canadas-contributions-and-ongoing-support-soldiers-who 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/⁠ This episode is sponsored by the International Critical Care Paramedic Group (ICCPG): The ICCPG are dedicated to advancing global Paramedicine through knowledge sharing and improved communication. Join their second conference on January 30, 2025, following the success of their 2022 event, which united over 600 paramedics worldwide. This virtual event will feature detailed case studies and in-depth clinical, training, leadership, and research discussions. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with peers and learn from international experts. For more details, contact Christian Wiggin at christian.wiggin@collegeofparamedics.co.uk This podcast is sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire. The University of Hertfordshire’s MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice offers flexible, part-time study with some online options. Students can choose between two pathways: Primary and Urgent Care or Emergency and Critical Care. The program includes modules in leadership, coaching, and independent prescribing. Expert, research-active staff with national and international profiles deliver innovative teaching using online, VR, and simulation technology. With over 25 years of heritage, the program promises excellent career prospects and opportunities for further research through Masters by research and PhDs. Please see here for further details: https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-masters/msc-advanced-paramedic-practice2?utm_campaign=pg_maincycle24&utm_medium=pre_hosp_care_podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_id=paramedic

In this episode, we'll delve into the organisational culture of ambulance services; and the unwritten rules, beliefs, and behaviours that shape how we work. From KPIs to mission statements to crew room dynamics, to the disparate social work hours of pre-hospital care. We unpack the insights of what truly makes this unique workplace tick. Joining me is Carl Betts, a fellow co-host of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast and the Quality Improvement lead for a UK Ambulance Service. We hope you find this conversation both informative and helpful. 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/⁠ This episode is sponsored by the International Critical Care Paramedic Group (ICCPG): The ICCPG are dedicated to advancing global Paramedicine through knowledge sharing and improved communication. Join their second conference on January 30, 2025, following the success of their 2022 event, which united over 600 paramedics worldwide. This virtual event will feature detailed case studies and in-depth clinical, training, leadership, and research discussions. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with peers and learn from international experts. For more details, contact Christian Wiggin at christian.wiggin@collegeofparamedics.co.uk This podcast is sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire. The University of Hertfordshire’s MSc Advanced Paramedic Practice offers flexible, part-time study with some online options. Students can choose between two pathways: Primary and Urgent Care or Emergency and Critical Care. The program includes modules in leadership, coaching, and independent prescribing. Expert, research-active staff with national and international profiles deliver innovative teaching using online, VR, and simulation technology. With over 25 years of heritage, the program promises excellent career prospects and opportunities for further research through Masters by research and PhDs. Please see here for further details: https://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-masters/msc-advanced-paramedic-practice2?utm_campaign=pg_maincycle24&utm_medium=pre_hosp_care_podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_id=paramedic