Western Morning News (Saturday)
Dozens of call-outs for new doctor response car
APIONEERING critical care vehicle is enabling Westcountry hospital doctors to treat patients at the scene of a major emergency for the first time.
The car – a fully marked, blue light response vehicle – is being used by doctors in Cornwall called out to the most serious incidents in the county.
It allows medics to treat patients fighting for their lives after car crashes and falls from height at the scene.
Previously patients in the region would have to be taken to a hospital to be stabilised before being transferred for specialist care.
But now doctors from the Royal Cornwall Hospital deliver anaesthesia on scene, put patients on a ventilator and provide critical care on the way to a trauma centre.
The car, which has been in use since last August, has been called out to around 30 emergencies already and bosses expect it to be used on average 50 times a year.
Dr Dan Bawden, consultant at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The launch of this new car enables a major trauma consultant
with advanced resuscitation drugs and equipment to be at the scene of the accident.
“With the car fully equipped, our consultants will be able to drive direct to the scene, either from the hospital, or when on call at home, and start treatment immediately.
“This ensures that the patients get to the best hospital for their injuries direct from the scene.”
The car was funded with a £50,000 donation from charity HELP Appeal, and there are hopes other areas will follow suit.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity also provided £60,000 funding to fully equip the response vehicle.
Robert Bertram, chief executive of the HELP Appeal, said: “We have funded 45 helipads across the whole country and our charity will continue to do anything that it possibly can to help save lives.
“We are proud to support the outstanding skills of trauma consultants and doctors by helping to enable this brand-new initiative with a donation of £50,000. We wish them great success and hope that this may be the first of many around the country where the need arises.”
Sarah Newton, chairperson of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, said: “The provision of equipment, such as a defibrillator, ventilator and protective clothing for the teams, has been provided through funding of just over £60,000 from our charity.
“The response car will be a fantastic addition to services in the county. We are so pleased to be able to support such an exciting and worthwhile advancement.”
With the car fully equipped, consultants will be able to drive direct to the scene DR DAN BAWDEN