The NSW Minister for Health, John Della Bosca, recently announced the introduction of an Ambulance Research Institute to improve patient care.

Research into ambulance practice is a largely unexplored area unlike other areas of medicine, so the first stage of the project will involve the appointment of staff to carry out much-needed research. Staff will be required to develop online educational training programs for paramedics in evidence-based best practice and research project design.

The funding has also been used to provide scholarships for nine paramedics to undertake an Honours program to equip them for a career in ambulance research. The scholarships, conducted through Charles Sturt University as part of their distance education programs, have been provided to paramedics at Katoomba, Macksville, Penrith, Coffs Harbour, Tamworth, Murwillumbah, Moruya, Bankstown and Cardiff.

With Ambulance experiencing over one million call-outs each year, paramedics are extremely hard-working and play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of our communities, but it is important we continue to improve our ambulance services where possible to ensure patients benefit.

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Be on the look out for the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease following a 100 per cent jump in notifications so far this year.

People, especially those up to the age of 25 and parents of young children aged one year and older should check they have received the meningococcal C vaccine that protects against one of the strains of this serious disease. Although it’s rare, meningococcal disease is serious and patients can die.

Meningococcal disease peaks in the winter and early spring months. In 2008, a total of 80 cases were notified to NSW Health. Between January and May this year there have been 28 cases of the disease, compared to 14 cases over the same period in 2008, an increase of 100 per cent.

Early identification and treatment of the disease is vital. The first symptoms of meningococcal disease can sometimes be vague and may include pain in the legs, cold hands and feet and abnormal skin colour.

The classic symptoms include:
> a blotchy purple-red rash
> high fever
> headache
> neck stiffness
> dislike of bright lights
> nausea and vomiting
> drowsiness.

Early detection and treatment can, in the majority of cases, result in full recovery. The meningococcal C vaccine is recommended for all babies at 12 months of age and currently in NSW, free vaccine is provided by NSW Health for unvaccinated people up to 25 years of age.

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In Australia, SIDS accounts for the deaths of more babies between the ages of one month and one year than any known cause. This is because the treatment and prevention of other potentially fatal childhood diseases have become more successful.

The average incidence of SIDS in Australia, as in many other western countries, is now about one in two thousand live births - around 120 babies each year. This is a major improvement since 1990 when one in five hundred babies died of SIDS.

Paramedics are usually first on scene and know how it can affect families.

Ambulance is helping to raise awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by supporting Red Nose Day.

Throughout the month of June every operational ambulance, over snow vehicles, rescue trucks, 4WDs and aircraft across the State will proudly display a red nose on the bonnet.

Red Nose Day is promoted throughout the month of June, with promotional activities culminating on Friday 26 June, 2009 with Ambulance providing a supporting role in Martin Place, Sydney where SIDS and KIDS will be appearing on the Sunrise Program on Channel Seven.

Red Nose Day is the major fundraiser for SIDS and KIDS and all funds raised assist SIDS and KIDS in providing vital free services and programs dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and to supporting bereaved families.

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Combating the effects of the winter nasties
Your eyes stream, you're going through tissues at a rate of knots and unleashing gale-force sneezes every five minutes. Winter's the prime time for the common cold and flu.

Prevention is better than cure
> Ask your GP about a flu shot – if you are over 65 it’s free
> For indigenous people over 50, the flu shot is free
> Wash your hands regularly
> Keep your fingers away from your eyes and nose
> Avoid close contact with cold and influenza sufferers
> Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
> Dress appropriately for winter conditions
> Be aware of household items that have been handled by flu patients — wipe them down with mild antiseptic

Common signs and symptoms
> Symptoms of the flu include fever, body aches, exhaustion, sore throat, headache and cough
> Symptoms of a common cold include sneezing, throat irritation, blocked ears and a runny nose

Treatment options
> Take it easy and stay at home - get plenty of rest until you’re feeling better
> Ensure sick children are kept at home
> If struck down by the flu, you usually need a few days of bed rest to recover
> Over-the-counter remedies may alleviate cold symptoms, but will not prevent the illness
> Drink plenty of fluids - hot honey and lemon drinks may soothe the throat and help to clear the nasal passages
> Try inhaling steam
> To assist with a sore throat, try throat lozenges, gargles and throat sprays

And remember, minor illnesses can be treated by a GP – save the emergency department for emergencies.

Attacking Asthma
As well as the flu, complications from conditions such as asthma and chest infections are far more common in winter.

Prevention is better than cure
Winter is a reminder for people with asthma to:
> Get a flu vaccination
> Get an Asthma Action Plan from their GP
> Take preventer medication as prescribed. It increases protection from asthma especially during winter
> Remove known triggers such as animal dust, fur and mould from around the house

Common signs and symptoms
> Coughing - Coughing from asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep
> Wheezing - a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe
> Chest tightness. - This may feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest
> Shortness of breath. - Some people who have asthma say they can't catch their breath

Treatment options
> Position the person upright
> Loosen tight clothing around the neck
> Assist a person take their prescribed medication

If a person suffers severe shortness of breath or asthma and does not respond to prescribed medications, dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Ambulance. > more information

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Earlier this year the Ambulance Band celebrated its 25th anniversary!

Twenty five years is a milestone in anyone’s book and Ambulance is proud to be celebrating such a memorable occasion within its organisation - its history is remarkable.

In 1984, Colin Dunn (who is still the current Band Secretary), saw an article in ‘Column 8’ of The Sydney Morning Herald advertising that the then ‘NSW Ambulance Service’ was looking to start a band. Colin answered the advertisement and a meeting was held.

After accepting the challenge of establishing a band, 20 musicians came together and the first rehearsal took place. It was a momentous occasion with the audience being the Chief Superintendent and a number of other Officers of Ambulance. The Ambulance Band’s first Musical Director was initially a volunteer position but was later made a full time position due to demand.

The Band began playing at formal Ambulance Graduation Parades which were held on the grounds of State Headquarters at Rozelle. Graduation Parades ceased in 2002 and the Band’s focus changed. They became involved in several events with St John Ambulance Investitures at Government House and also took on commitments for Anzac Day and the formal opening of NSW hospitals.

The Band was formally commissioned in April 1985 during the opening of a new wing at St George Hospital and the ceremony was officiated by the then NSW Health Minister Ron Murlock. The Band’s first uniforms were gifted to them by NSW Fire Brigades until an approved Ambulance uniform came into place a little while later.

Some of the Band’s highlights that Colin fondly remembers includes playing for the Queen in 1987 when her majesty opened Parramatta Stadium and performing at the Vietnam Veterans acknowledgement parade in the late 1980’s.

The current 42 member Ambulance Band regularly perform at formal Ambulance functions, the NSW Health Awards, Anzac Day March, NSW Health Awards, St John Investitures at Government House, Reserve Forces Day Parades, Fishers Ghost Festival and a range of community events. In addition to the concert band which provides a large musical combination, there is a stage band, a brass quintet and a saxophone quartet.

The current Ambulance Band membership has a mixture of female and male musicians with a good mix of experienced and youth allowing us to cater for our audience and Ambulance as the need dictates.

Congratulations to all the fantastic members of our Band who volunteer their own time to represent Ambulance in such a professional manner.

For information on joining the Band or for bookings email jsmyth@ambulance.nsw.gov.auor phone 9320 7798.

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Every 28 seconds Ambulance receives a call for help from somewhere across New South Wales. Rain, hail or shine paramedics are there to respond and care for people in a medical
emergency.

Paramedics join Ambulance to serve the community, to make a difference. It’s not the job for everyone and that’s what makes our paramedics so special. Day in, day out, paramedics provide medical care for the community.

The 20 November each year marks the ‘Thank a Paramedic Day’. On this day time is set aside for a public celebration of paramedics and the medical care they provide to the people of NSW. It’s an opportunity for those whose lives have been touched by one of the thousands of dedicated paramedics to say “thanks”. So often in a time of crisis people wish they had been able to communicate their appreciation but the moment passes and the paramedics have moved on to their next job.

‘Thank a Paramedic Day’ provides the community members with a chance to celebrate the contribution that paramedics make in helping others in need. It is also an occasion for paramedics to reflect on the important and valuable role they have within our society. The work of a paramedic often involves caring for the most disadvantaged members of the community and paramedics often witness horrific trauma. Our paramedics have genuine passion and commitment to the maintenance of high standards of care for the community.

On Friday 20 November 2009, 'Thank a Paramedic Day' will be celebrated across NSW. The time and venues will be announced in the Spring issue of ambulanceonline.

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The LIFE…Live It Save It program is a successful community education program that has been running for three years and was developed to educate over 55 retirees on recognising and dealing effectively with medical emergencies.

The program is free to all community clubs in New South Wales who cater to retirees, only takes one hour to complete and there are no exams or tests. It is a self-learning program designed to be facilitated by community members in a group environment.

The program's key objectives are:

• Early recognition of signs and symptoms of medical emergencies

• Calling ‘000’ immediately for an ambulance

• Following ambulance calltaker instructions

Also included in the “LIFE ....Live It Save It!” program is a short practical component and discussion time.

Since its rollout in 2007, over 5,000 community members have participated in the program with enthusiastic feedback received. An independent evaluation was conducted in late 2008 with findings revealing that almost all (96%) said that they knew what to do in a medical emergency.

To get your community group involved and receive a free kit simply email your name, community group’s name, postal address and estimated number of participants to community@ambulance.nsw.gov.au or phone 9320 7795.

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Three year old Josh Snape was visited by Muswellbrook paramedics and presented with an Ambulance Star Award for having the initiative at such a young age to alert a family member that their was a medical emergency involving his mother at his family home.

Josh had been taught by his mother to press a colour coded button on their home phone should he ever be unable to wake his mother who has diabetes.

On the morning of 8 March 2009, Josh’s mum had a diabetic emergency and was found unconscious by her two small children.

Josh, then two, was home with his five year old sister but despite being the younger brother he took charge and activated the coloured button on his phone. Confused and very upset, little Josh spoke to his grandmother who recognised there was a problem at the home and dialled Triple Zero (000) and asked for Ambulance.

He is the youngest ever recipient of the award and the third to receive the award this year across the State.

Photograph: Paramedic Tony Rockley, Josh Snape and Paramedic Tim Troon

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Ambulance receives thousands of calls each day for assistance. Without the help of the public, many of those who were seriously ill or injured may have not survived.

If you have a story to tell and would like to nominate a fellow community member for consideration for a ‘Community Hero Award’ or formal Bravery Award please send your correspondence to:

Manager, Protocol
Ambulance Service of NSW
Locked Bag 105
Rozelle NSW 2039

An example of an extraordinary act is eight year old Ava Merriman who earlier this year ran over a kilometre to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm when her father sustained serious injuries after falling 30 metres down a steep embankment and then being trapped by a 200 kilogram boulder.

Ava guided the neighbour to her father and paramedics were then called.

Ava was recognised by Ambulance with a "Star Award" for her actions on that particular day.

Photograph: Queanbeyan ICP Dan O’Sullivan with Ava and her younger brother Finnigan.

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Last year Ambulance made over one million ambulance responses to emergency and non-emergency incidents. The overwhelming majority of these one million patients are very appreciative and respectful of our paramedics, however there are some cases of unfounded aggression from patients, their families or the general community.

In 2007/08 paramedics reported 238 incidents of aggression. This does not include verbal abuse or abuse that does not result in injury. In some cases patients who are sick, or may be anxious about their health or the health of their loved ones, or who are affected by alcohol and drugs can be threatening and out-of-character. Stress and a sense of powerlessness can lead to frustration, and in some cases patients and families have reacted with violence and abuse against staff.

The message is simple - violence and verbal abuse towards paramedics will not be tolerated. > more information

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healthdirect Australia is a free telephone service that anyone can ring for advice or information on health matters like a specific condition 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A registered nurse is on hand to help you decide the best course of action or to link you with appropriate local health facilities for follow up and treatment. Alternatively, you may want information about a specific health condition or about where to find after-hours health services.

This new service will give you timely advice on health problems you, or someone you are caring for including children, are experiencing.

healthdirect Australia is there to meet all these needs. Of course, if you have a health emergency you still dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance.

To contact healthdirect Australia phone 1800 022 222. Calls on landlines will be free but mobile charges may apply. Visit the website www.healthdirect.org.au

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Ambulance is currently undertaking a review of Ambulance online and would appreciate your views. Please take a minute to complete the online survey, there are only nine questions. We are constantly trying to improve its newsletter, your answers are very important to us.

Thanks to those of you who have already submitted completed surveys - we look forward to reading the results and learning more about you and what kinds of information you find useful.

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