Ventilator first for Magpas medics

Magpas Helimedix Doctor Alex Cross and Paramedic Paul Sallis, with one of the new Hamilton T1 ventilators, inside the Magpas Helimedix Air Ambulance.

Magpas Helimedix Doctor Alex Cross and Paramedic Paul Sallis, with one of the new Hamilton T1 ventilators, inside the Magpas Helimedix Air Ambulance.

Magpas supports the ambulance service in the East of England by providing its Helimedix air ambulance and a specialist medical team to care for seriously ill or injured patients. Described as bringing ‘A&E to the patient’ or ‘critical care to the roadside’, Magpas Helimedix specialist doctors and paramedics are able to undertake many procedures that would normally be performed in A&E or even ITU departments.

However, the charity wanted to do more for its patients. After a thorough evaluation of a number of ventilators, the Magpas Clinical Governance Committee found the Hamilton T1 performed at the highest level and was already in use with the Rega pre-hospital service in Switzerland.

This particular ventilator is so sophisticated that it can adjust itself, breath by breath, to work out how best to provide the life support. The Hamilton T1 can protect the patient’s lungs and can also improve the amount of oxygen going into the lungs and bloodstream, which then goes to the patient’s brain and protects it. This patient could be an adult or the smallest of children – the ventilator works for both.

Magpas Clinical Director Simon Lewis said, “This is an essential investment and we have made a huge leap in our capabilities with these ventilators. I know this will improve the care we are able to provide patients in life changing situations. I am very excited to about using the Hamilton T1 and making a difference. I am also very proud of this organisation for supporting this advance and the clinicians for undertaking extra training in order to use the ventilators. A big thank you to our fundraisers for making this possible.”

For more information please visit www.magpas.org.uk