Doctor, doctor!

Doctors are a hot topic today on the eve of the planned industrial action by some in the profession.

There has been a lot of talk about how much disruption this will cause across the country – with Health Secretary Andrew Lansley warning that more than a million people could be affected by the first industrial action by doctors for almost 40 years.

It’s not a surprise that this has got everyone talking, and everyone seems to have different views on whether it is right or wrong. All this debate and interest in tomorrow’s planned industrial action shows one thing for sure – how much we rely on doctors.

Here at The Air Ambulance Service, we know how important doctors can be, and that’s why we routinely carry them on board as part of our Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS).

Our paramedics do an absolutely vital job, saving lives every single day with the treatment that they give to casualties. But routinely carrying doctors on board is also advantageous to the casualties that we treat and transfer.

Take for instance yesterday – Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) were called out to someone who had sustained a head injury. When they arrived, they realised the casualty had deteriorated and that it was actually quite a serious head injury. As there was a doctor on board the Air Ambulance, DLRAA were able to put the casualty into a medically induced coma (using a procedure called an RSI for those of you who know your medical stuff!). This stabilised the condition of the casualty for the flight to the hospital.

Doctors can provide advanced treatments and can also administer more painkillers than paramedics are authorised to do.

By carrying doctors on board, we are well and truly bringing the hospital to the scene of an accident or injury.

'The doctor will see you now'... Not your typical doctor's office!