MEDSERVE Wales clinicians can be called to respond at any time of the day or night to help the public of South Wales.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
With the additional equipment funded by the Welsh Government, MEDSERVE Wales aims to expand their responder numbers and capability at incidents attended.
MEDSERVE Wales clinicians can be called to respond at any time of the day or night to help the public of South Wales. They provide enhanced pre-hospital care on a voluntary basis, in support of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST). MEDSERVE are the only enhanced care asset regularly available to assist WAST in responding to emergency calls overnight (2000-0800hrs) in South Wales.
MEDSERVE Wales clinicians come from a variety of Hospital and Primary Care specialities, and have additional training and many years of experience operating within the pre-hospital environment. Many also hold higher qualifications within the field of Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine.
Currently, the charity has clinicians based across South Wales who are available to respond to incidents on behalf of WAST as required; including at to major/ mass casualty incidents, at an operational and tactical level.
MEDSERVE Wales clinicians voluntarily attended over 500 emergency calls for WAST in 2017.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said;
“The Welsh Ambulance Service continues to experience a growing demand for its services every year, and ensuring an urgent response to the most critical incidents can be a matter of life and death.
“MEDSERVE Wales’ volunteers are an invaluable resource and an incredible group of clinicians who give up their time to make a vital difference to critically ill or injured patients’ lives. This funding will enable them to continue serving the South Wales area, and support the Welsh Ambulance Service to the best of their ability.”
Dr Ian Bowler, Chairman of MEDSERVE Wales said;
“I am very proud of all our dedicated team members across South Wales who volunteer to provide an enhanced care service, supporting WAST 24 hours a day.
“We are delighted that the Health Secretary sees the value we add to the care of this group of patients and thank him for his support with this equipment project. This investment will help us to continue to expand and provide the highest quality of care to our patients; as well as support to our WAST colleagues and the other statutory and voluntary services with whom we work.”
Richard Lee, Director of Operations for the Welsh Ambulance NHS Trust said;
“Being able to call upon the support of advanced care providers such as MEDSERVE is a key part of our response to our most serious incidents. This development in the capability of the MEDSERVE teams will allow us to provide an even more effective service to those patients for whom these skills are required".