Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service (LIVES) have launched a new emergency care team to provide a higher level of clinical expertise to patients.
The voluntary system has provided a volunteer Medic and First Responder service since the mid 1970s.
The new LIVES Care Team will operate in addition to the existing service, but will provide a fully qualified doctor or nurse alongside an emergency care assistant.
After a 13 week pilot period, the team will evaluate how the service can be further developed to provide the best pre-hospital critical care possible.
The initiative began on February 1, and will run on the Saturday of every week.
Stephen Hyde, from the LIVES Care Team, said: “The ability to provide a number of surgical procedures on location will mean a 30% greater chance of patient survival.
“We will be responding at the request of East Midlands Ambulance Service with a fully equipped rapid response vehicle.
“The scheme itself makes a lot of sense. The cost is minimal as it is run by volunteers and is an excellent addition to the air ambulance service, for example, as there isn’t often the opportunity for the presence of a doctor on board.
“The service will cost around £50,000 per year. But cost per shift will depend on the equipment used.
“Our first shift went extremely well. We attended an incident involving patients affected by smoke inhalation. While the would have gone to A&E usually, we were able to treat them in their own home.”
The LIVES Care Team are appealing for qualified volunteers to come forward to offer their services.
You can contact [email protected] for more information, or call 01507 525999.
Ambulatory Emergency Care extended
Meanwhile, a new major emergency scheme has been rolled out at Lincoln Hospital, offering urgent same day treatment for patients.
The Ambulatory Emergency Care (AEC) service will mean most people will not have to be admitted to hospital before gaining treatment.
Patients with certain conditions, such as mild asthma, falls, suspected blood clots, chest pains and skin infections who arrive via A&E or are sent by their GP will also be fast tracked for assessments and tests.
It is hoped that the scheme will free up hospital beds, leading to a reduction in waiting times.
Dr Ben Loryman, A&E Consultant at Lincoln, said: “This is a significant development for the hospital and the feedback we have received from patients so far has been extremely positive.
“The service is already having a measurable effect on the number of patients we are able to discharge.
“Since the unit launched we have been able to discharge over 400 patients most of whom would have been admitted to hospital otherwise. As a result there has been a 12% reduction in admissions to the Medical Emergency Assessment Unit.
“The safety of our patients is paramount and we will only allow patients home on the same day if assessments have confirmed that their clinical condition does not require a stay in hospital.”
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We are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a collision caused serious injuries to a 23-year-old man.
Just before 3.30pm yesterday (2 July), we received reports of a collision on Barholm Road in Tallington. It involved a grey BMW 335D estate, a blue BMW 116D and an orange KTM motorcycle.
The motorcycle rider, a 23-year-old man, sustained serious injuries during the collision and was taken to hospital.
If you witnessed the incident and are yet to get in touch with us, please do so. If you have any other information or dashcam footage available that may have captured the road along the A1175 at the time of the collision, get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 282 of 2 July.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 282 of 2 July in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
The 2022 Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards are open for applications, and Destination Lincolnshire giving you the rare chance to co-create your application with Nell Barrington, a tourism awards veteran, who has helped hundreds of businesses write winning applications over the last 15 years – including national VisitEngland winners.
The Tourism Awards Masterclass is taking place on Tuesday 12 July at 11am for one-hour online. Laura Freer, Head of Marketing at Destination Lincolnshire said: “This is a golden opportunity, after years of hard work and heartache, to get your business and team recognised and rewarded.
“A well written application is key to achieving a coveted place on this year’s shortlist, and I’d encourage all tourism and visitor economy businesses who are thinking of entering – whether they are seasoned at writing award applications or not – to join us for this exclusive masterclass.
“Nell Barrington has worked with us and VisitEngland on the founding application processes of these awards, and she is perfectly placed to assist in co-creating applications that you can be proud of. This is a great opportunity for business development too – whether you are shortlisted for an award or not – discovering how to effectively apply for awards and talk up your business adds another string to your bow.
“Booking is essential and places are limited to just 35 – so be quick! This year we’ve made our masterclass available to partners and also to those who we are yet to work with for free. Call it an added bonus, after two years away from the awards circuit.
The awards masterclass is focussed on the application process, and it will spell out what the judges are looking for. You’ll learn how to make your application stand out from the local competition, helping your chances of going through to the national VisitEngland Awards in 2023.”
There are fifteen categories open for nominations from visitors attraction, accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and many more.
The deadline for nominations is July 29, with online judging starting on July 30 and mystery shopping from August 13. Finalists will be announced on Monday, August 15.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Engine Shed on October 21, and will be hosted by Lincs FM presenter, John Marshall.
The event is organised by Stonebow Media, publishers of The Lincolnite, to celebrate the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, alongside headline sponsors Lincoln College and Destination Lincolnshire.
We would also like to thank our other sponsors Visit Lincolnshire, Heart of Lincs, Duncan and Toplis and LNER, insight6 and EV Camel.