Last month we were again privileged to host a presentation on the subject of chest pain and to be able to invite fellow community responders from the whole of South Hampshire. Mark Ainsworth-Smith, Consultant in Pre-Hospital Care again shared a great deal of knowledge to us and we thank him, and Thorney Hill Community centre.

South Central Ambulance Service Ambies Awards

Our Co-ordinator, Mike, was again nominated in the Volunteer of the Year 2017 category at the South Central Ambulance Service Ambies Awards. The Ambies recognise the achievements of staff and volunteers in demonstrating the core values of teamwork, innovation, professionalism and caring, as well as going above and beyond their normal duties to deliver outstanding care to patients.
We were also particularly pleased that Penny Smith, co-ordinator at New Milton also got nominated, as we have been supporting Penny in the last 12 months as she set up her scheme in New Milton.

On the night the award went to Penny and was presented by Chris Tarrant OBE. Mike was a runner up. Congratulations to Penny on a well deserved achievement.

Christmas Period

Over the Christmas period we will have a Responder on duty 24/7 from Christmas Eve through to 27th and again over New Years Eve, and New Years Day. Outside those days we will have someone on for most of the time.

As usual we would ask you to make sure that you have enough of any important medication to last through the holiday.

Please don't mix drink and medicines. You could end up spending the holidays in A & E.

If you need medical assistance only call 999 if it is life threatening. Arriving at A & E in an ambulance won’t get you treated as a priority unless your life is at risk.
Call 111 for medical help and advice and if they think you do need an ambulance they will send you on.
On Friday 22nd December, while some of the team remain on call in Bransgore, others will take a vehicle and assist the ambulance service in Southampton or elsewhere in South Hampshire. This is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for the ambulance service as revellers from offices, shops and businesses have a last party session before heading off for Christmas. In addition to being a good learning experience for the team, it means we can assist in providing a fast response to appropriate calls we may be sent to.

 Have a great Christmas and best wishes for the New Year from us all.