Pre-Hospital Care Podcast

The person-centred approach to counselling is built on the foundation of empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. Developed by Carl Rogers, this approach shifts the focus from the therapist as an expert to the client as the central figure in their own healing journey. Rather than directing or diagnosing, the counsellor provides a non-judgmental, supportive space, allowing the individual to explore their thoughts and emotions freely.At its core, this method recognises that each person has the capacity for growth, self-awareness, and healing when given the right environment. The role of the counsellor is to listen deeply, reflect, and validate, helping clients to find their own solutions rather than imposing advice.In pre-hospital and emergency care, where professionals often witness distress and trauma, adopting person-centred communication can make a profound difference. Whether supporting patients in crisis, speaking with families, or debriefing colleagues, approaching conversations with genuine empathy, active listening, and emotional presence fosters trust and resilience.On today’s episode, we’ll explore how this approach applies to medicine, emergency response, and mental health, and how we can all integrate person-centred principles into our professional and personal interactions.Chris Molyneux has spent more than a decade as a counsellor working alongside people who are rediscovering their frame of reference after trauma, and supervising other counsellors who do the same. Chris brings great authenticity through his work and has already had a hugely powerful impact for many healthcare workers. Chris's work can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwrbmKtOAGYChris The Counsellor on YouTube www.youtube.com/christhecounsellor and reach out to Chris on the following email chris@chrismolyneux.co.ukThis is a paid advertisement from BetterHelp In the demanding field of pre-hospital care, having reliable support is crucial. Whether you're a first responder, healthcare professional, or simply facing life's everyday stresses, therapy can equip you with strategies to manage pressure, strengthen resilience, and enhance your mental health.BetterHelp, the world’s largest online therapy platform, connects individuals with licensed therapists via video, phone, or messaging—available anytime, anywhere. With more than 5,000 therapists in the UK, it’s easy to find the right match for your needs. Strengthen your support network with BetterHelp.Listeners receive 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com/CAREPOD This podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face, with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into decision-making under pressure with Olly Sapsford, a Firefighter and Commander as well as a Lecturer in Disaster & Emergency Management at Coventry University.We explore the mental models, training, and strategies that support effective decision-making in extreme environments. How do emergency responders manage stress, maintain clarity, and strike the right balance between experience and instinct?Olly shares insights into leadership, teamwork, and the ethical dilemmas professionals face in high-stakes situations. From navigating risk and resource limitations to post-incident reflection, we examine how decision-making frameworks from firefighting can be applied in paramedicine—and vice versa.With a research focus on human factors, socio-cognitive influences, and fast decision-making, Olly sheds light on the role of intuition and expertise in high-pressure environments. Drawing from his talk at the College of Paramedics Emergency and Critical Care Conference, titled ‘From the Fireground: Demystifying Extreme Decision Making for Emergency Responders’, Olly brings a fresh perspective on how responders can refine their approach to critical decision-making when every second counts.Join us as we unpack the strategies that can make the difference between a good decision and a great one in emergency settings.This podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In this episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, we are focusing on the vital topic of paediatric assessment in the pre-hospital phase of care. Assessing and managing a sick or injured child is one of the most challenging scenarios for pre-hospital teams. Our guest breaks down the key components of paediatric assessment with the subtle red flags that may indicate a child is critically unwell. We’ll also explore practical approaches to airway management, assessing breathing and circulation, and understanding neurological status in children of all ages.Beyond the clinical side, we discuss the softer skills required when working with paediatric patients, like engaging with caregivers, managing a child’s fear, and staying calm under pressure. Whether you’re new to pre-hospital care or an experienced provider looking to refine your skills, this episode will provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways. Anna Dobbie is a consultant in emergency medicine at The Royal London Hospital and the lead clinician with London’s Air Ambulance. With a special interest in paediatrics and teaching, Anna plays a key role in advancing pre-hospital care. In this episode, we explore her journey, insights, and experiences in emergency and pre-hospital paediatric medicine.* Please note, the content of this podcast is for information purposes only. Please stay within your scope of practice and services operating practices at all times * This podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In this episode, we take an in-depth look at one of the world’s leading HEMS services—London’s Air Ambulance (LAA) Charity. This conversation centres around the lesser-known challenges of sustaining and growing a top-tier HEMS service within the UK. From community engagement strategies to high-impact fundraising and marketing campaigns, we uncover what it takes to raise over £16 million to fund two new helicopters. We also go behind the scenes to examine the efforts that brought these aircraft into service, the obstacles the charity faces, and the vital role public support plays in its mission.Joining us is Jayne Clarke, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at London’s Air Ambulance Charity. With a strong background in strategic leadership across the charity sector, Jayne brings expertise in marketing, advertising, and ethical banking. She previously worked with McCann Worldgroup before transitioning to purpose-driven roles, including leading major campaigns at the RNLI and serving as Director of Income Generation at St Peter’s Hospice. Now, as she steers the charity into an exciting new chapter in 2025, Jayne shares her insights on what it takes to keep this lifesaving service in the air. To see more of LAA's work, engagement and fundraising, see here: https://www.londonsairambulance.org.uk/

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest remains a critical challenge despite advances in pre-hospital care, with survival rates heavily influenced by early intervention, high-quality CPR, and coordinated response systems.In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Faulkner, a leading expert in resuscitation and emergency care, to explore the key factors that impact survival. We’ll discuss the importance of bystander CPR and public access defibrillation in the crucial early minutes and the benefits of high-performance CPR and effective post-ROSC care. Mark will also share insights into the latest evolving role of the impact of system-wide strategies, from improved community education to better integration between emergency services and hospitals. What steps can be taken to enhance survival rates, and how can healthcare systems work together to drive meaningful change?Join us for this discussion as we discuss system-wide and service-level changes that can make a real difference in patient outcomes.

In this episode of the Pre-Hospital Care Podcast, we dive into the crucial role of shared learning within the pre-hospital setting. Learning from past experiences, both successes and challenges, is vital for improving patient outcomes and advancing best practices. We’ll explore key moments where shared learning has led to real changes in practice and examine the importance of having a strong central community to ensure that knowledge reaches as many professionals as possible.To explore this topic, we're joined by Sara Orritt, who brings a wealth of experience in emergency medical services and communication. Sara manages the communications and social media for The European Association of Emergency Medical Services (EMS Europe), supports the EMS Europe board in business administration, and helps organise the International EMS Congress. She also works as an Executive Support Officer for Yorkshire Ambulance Service and has previous experience with South East Coast Ambulance Service. Before her career in emergency medical services, Sara worked in television production, including roles with the BBC.Join us as we discuss how shared learning drives change, the role of digital platforms in spreading knowledge, and how EMS professionals can stay connected to a broader learning community. EMS Europe can be found here: https://emseurope.org/The 2025 EMS congress can be found here: https://www.emscongress2025.org/Please find a link to the paper mentioned in the episode here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/european-ems_earlier-this-year-the-european-association-activity-7110352516667592704-8Kxb?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAP50dMB5y9DijwQUZNfWmSnqRRiXV2b9mUThis podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In this episode, we’re joined by Paramedic Adam Desmond, an experienced paramedic who has been on the frontline of some of the UK’s most devastating major incidents, including the Brixton nail bombing on 17th April 1999, the Soho nail bombing on 30th April 1999, the Ladbroke Grove rail crash on 5th October 1999, the London terror attacks on 7th July 2005, commonly known as 7/7, and the Westminster Bridge terror attack on 22nd March 2017.With 30 years of experience in pre-hospital emergency care, Adam will take us through the evolving landscape of major incident response, unpacking the differences in injury patterns from traditional road traffic collisions to modern blast injuries. We’ll explore the human factors that influence decision-making under pressure, the importance of shared situational awareness, and the critical lessons learned from past events that continue to shape emergency response today. Additionally, we explore the psychological impact of responding to mass casualty incidents, examining how trauma, imposter syndrome, and mental resilience affect the lives of ambulance staff. Through Adam’s insights, we’ll unpack the balance between policy and real-world decision-making.***Trigger Warning*** Adam recollects some detailed accounts of suffering from major incidents in this episode that some listeners may find distressing. This podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

Today, we’re diving into one of the most challenging and high-stakes procedures in trauma medicine—prehospital resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) for traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA). Joining me is Dr Mike Christian, the senior author of a recent study published in JAMA Surgery, which examines the impact of prehospital RT in London’s Air Ambulance (LAA) system over two decades. TCA is often seen as a condition with a poor prognosis but for select patients—particularly those suffering from cardiac tamponade—prehospital RT has been shown to improve survival rates when performed within minutes of arrest. This study is the largest of its kind, analysing over 600 cases and shedding light on the effectiveness of RT, the critical time windows, and the factors that influence outcomes.In this episode, we’ll explore the study’s key findings, discuss the operational and ethical challenges of performing RT in the field, and consider what this means for the future of prehospital trauma care. The paper can be found here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2830622A review and appraisal of the paper can be found here: https://www.stemlynsblog.org/laa-resuscitative-thoracotomy/This is an advertisement from BetterHelp.Stress and anxiety affect all of us—whether it’s the daily pressures of work, life, or the unexpected moments that throw us off balance. As pre-hospital professionals, we see firsthand how mental health can impact lives, yet we often neglect our well-being.Anxiety can manifest in ways we don’t always recognise—headaches, sleepless nights, or even feeling constantly on edge. In a world that demands more, sometimes the best thing you can do is pause, reflect, and seek support. Therapy isn’t just for those in crisis—it’s about learning coping strategies, setting boundaries, and becoming the best version of yourself.BetterHelp is the world’s largest online therapy platform, connecting you with professionals specialising in anxiety and more. Take control of your mental health today. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com/CAREPODThis podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

This is the second in a short mini-series focusing on vehicle-borne attacks having transitioned from a relatively rare method used by Terrorist Vehicle-Borne (TVB) attacks to becoming one of the most lethal forms of terrorism.In Western countries, by 2016, TVB has resulted in just over half of all terrorism-related deaths. Their effectiveness and simplicity make vehicle ramming attacks an increasingly popular option for lone individuals who are three times more likely to stage a successful attack by groups of two or more. According to the global terrorism index, 2024 saw an overall 63% increase in terrorist attacks in the West, with terrorism conducted by lone individuals sharply on the rise. So, how much have we learned from the past the public report published in the United Kingdom in 2013? A 2022 systematic review focusing on lessons learned from terror attacks from 2001 to 2018 found that despite the differences in methods countries social and political systems and casualties involved many of the lessons an issues identified with similar however these lessons continue to repeat themselves time again it concluded that the lessons identified did not appear to be sufficiently acted upon the failure to learn was further highlighted in volume 2 of the Manchester Arena public inquiry which focused on the response by the emergency services it identified the organisations involved in the response to the incident had failed to capture or learn lessons from previous multi-agency exercises it reported that there had been a failure to learn embedded key lessons from exercises. This was most relevant in the areas of shared situational awareness and joint understanding of risk and co-location identified key lessons, that subsequently reoccurred during the multi-agency response on the night of the attack.On the afternoon of August 17, 2017, Barcelona was subjected to a vehicle terrorist attack, the 22-year-old assailant drove his van some 550 metres along the famous La Rambla, killing 14 people and injuring 125. We are 8 years on now from the attack. However, the lessons identified and reflections taken from the emergency service response are still as relevant today as they were at the time. Today, we are joined by Doctor Jorge Morales Alvarez, the Medical Director of the Catalan Medical Emergency System. To read more about the attack, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Barcelona_attacksThis podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠

In 2016, ISIS encouraged vehicle attacks through its online magazine, targeting crowded outdoor events. Rather than large-scale attacks using weapons of mass destruction, terrorism has shifted towards smaller, lone-actor incidents due to increased security measures. Online radicalisation has facilitated this change, inspiring attacks with easily accessible vehicles requiring minimal skill or preparation.Following the publication, vehicle-borne attacks increased, with one of the deadliest occurring in Nice, France, during Bastille Day, killing 87 and injuring 458. Victims commonly suffered exsanguinating pelvic fractures. While these attacks are primarily linked to Islamist terrorism, vehicles have also been used in far-right, far-left, and criminal incidents. Between May 27 and September 5, 2020, 104 vehicle attacks were recorded at U.S. protests. However, jihadist-linked attacks tend to be more lethal due to sustained acceleration and higher kinetic energy, causing severe head, spinal, pelvic, and lower extremity injuries.Emergency response to these incidents is complex, often spanning large areas, such as the one-mile-long scene in Nice. Additional threats like explosives and weapons further challenge responders, as seen in attacks at London Bridge and Barcelona.Recent months have seen a rise in such attacks across Europe and the U.S., mostly linked to Islamist terrorism. Today, we are joined by Bill Salmeron, Chief of EMS for New Orleans, to discuss the New Year's Eve terrorist attack on Bourbon Street and the EMS response. To read more on the precise location and details of the incident, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_New_Orleans_truck_attackThis podcast is sponsored by PAX.Whatever kind of challenge you have to face - with PAX backpacks you are well-prepared. Whether on water, on land or in the air - PAX's versatile, flexible backpacks are perfectly suitable for your requirements and can be used in the most demanding of environments. Equally, PAX bags are built for comfort and rapid access to deliver the right gear at the right time to the right patient. To see more of their innovative designed product range, please click here:⁠https://www.pax-bags.com/en/⁠