FORTH AND TAY DISTRICT
of
EDINBURGH BRANCH
29th Meeting
Dewar Centre, Glover Street, Perth at 7.30 pm Thursday 9th November 2006.
Sederunt.
K Paterson D Mann P Szawlowski P Brunton
E Stobbie S Chisholm J Gordon A Reaves
I Scragg R Stainton D Arnold S Fowler
R Turner J Goddard D Devey R Greer
T Mellon L Roberts B Davidson A Thomson
H McRea D Binnie A Pill K McDonnell
B Davies W Reiche
1. Chairperson Kirsten Paterson (deputizing)
· The Chairperson opened the meeting at 7.30 pm welcoming everyone attending the 29th Meeting of the Forth and Tay District. Kirsten explained that she was standing in for Karen McDonnell who was unable to attend this meeting. Kirsten explained to the meeting the actions to take in the event of an emergency. She also reminded the audience of the administrative arrangements at the Centre. Kirsten outlined the agenda for the meeting ; business then the Guest Speaker
2. Minutes of the 28th Meeting on the 14th September 2006
· The Secretary informed the meeting that copies of the 28th meeting had been distributed by e-mail in October. However, paper copies were also distributed throughout the room for reference. The meeting was asked if there were any comments to be made regarding the Minutes of that meeting. No comments were forthcoming and, so, it was proposed that the Minutes be accepted as a true record of that meeting.
3. Secretary’s Report Dick Mann
· The Secretary informed the meeting that the following addressees for e-mails had failed (“bounced”) when the September Minutes were sent out:
John McDonald Laurie Richards
Alec Milne Jim Cowan
John Bird R Allan
Allan Dick Mike Ranaich
Terry Parnell H Al Bawani
Gillian Oxtoby Tom Waddell
Peter Heenan
Dick requested that anyone who was in contact with any of the people listed contact them and explain the situation; if they telephoned him using the number given on the IOSH Branch / District website he would alter their e-mail details. In the meantime, those listed above had been removed from the Secretary’s e-mail address list.
4. Correspondence
The Secretary had two items to report to the meeting:
1. A number of ‘phone calls and e-mails have resulted in an invitation being extended for Mr Robin McKenzie to address the next District meeting. He will give a short presentation on “Allen Carr’s Easyway” (to stop smoking) at the AGM in February 2007.
2. The Chairperson – Karen McDonnell – had been in contact with the Branch Secretary, Max Bancroft, seeking clarification on the rules regarding the selection of members to serve on the District Committee. Basically, the rules as they affect us are as follows;
· There are two “Office Bearer” posts – the Chair and the Secretary. The Chair can be held by the same person for a maximum of four years but must be reselected annually. The chairperson must be a Corporate Member of IOSH. The position of Secretary can be held without limit of time – but must be reselected annually – and does not have to be filled by a Corporate Member of IOSH.
· The Committee can have up to six other executive members: each serves for two years and then can be reselected for a further two years. After that they must stand down for at least one year before seeking to rejoin the Committee as an executive. However, a retiring executive committee member can seek nomination and election to one of the Office Bearer posts immediately.
· The majority of the Committee must be of Corporate status.
In regard to the current situation regarding the formation of a new Committee at the AGM, the Secretary briefed the meeting as follows:
5. Branch Liaison – Karen McDonnell
6. Any Other Competent Business
· Nothing to report.
7. Guest Speaker – George B Dickson MBA, Dip H&S Mgt, MIOSH
Health and Safety Officer, Scottish Ambulance Service.
Topic: Managing Health and Safety Within the Scottish Ambulance Service.
George began by saying that he intended to structure his presentation starting from the beginnings of the Ambulance Service to where it is now and then looking at some of the health and safety issues for the Service. Specifically, he would deal with:
- The Service’s history
- Emergency Medical Dispatch
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Dimensions (the scale of the Scottish Ambulance Service)
- The Air Wing
- Special Operations Teams [SORT] (Post 9-11)
- Health and Safety Issues
· The history of the Service, where it had been and where it is now, was very effectively illustrated by photographs that contrasted a canvas stretcher slung between two bicycles and the interior of a high tech. ambulance of today. Another photograph showed a fully equipped ambulance of the early 1970’s – cost approximately £8,500 fully equipped – and a modern ambulance where the vehicle alone costs £85,000.
· Recent annual statistics for the Service are;
- 527,582 accidents and emergency incidents attended
- 1,497,379 non-emergency patient journeys undertaken
- 2,993 air ambulance missions flown (The Scottish Service has the only publicly funded air ambulance service)
- Over 150 ambulance locations throughout the Scottish Service.
George then ran a short video clip illustrating how today’s service responds to emergency calls by prioritizing between calls and also giving direct telephone guidance to callers on how to aid casualties pending the arrival of ambulance crews at the scene.
· Public expectations of the Service change. People expect more because they have become better informed – many through watching television dramas. In response the Service paramedics are comprehensively trained and experienced. The government legislates for improvements in practice and procedures.
· The basic role of the Service – its ethos – has not changed: it is, as any first-aider knows….
- To preserve life
- To prevent further injury (or deterioration)
- To promote recovery
The so-called “ 3 P’s”
· The dimensions of the Service are seen from these facts and figures:
· Specific facts in regard to the Air Service include:
- There are two fixed-wing – Beach King Air 200c – aircraft; one based in Glasgow, the other in Aberdeen.
- Two Euro-copter EC135 helicopters are deployed with one at the SECC in Glasgow and one at Dalcross Inverness.
- Coverage range is about 2,000 miles or 2-3 hours flying, with a 24/7 flying capability.
- The Air Service typically deals with more than 3,000 patients per
year.
- Coverage is provided “off-shore”
- Running costs approximately £8M per annum.
- The Service works with the military, Coast Guard Service and Bond Offshore.
George then moved on to give a brief insight into the operations of the Special Operations Response Teams [SORT]. The teams were set up as one of the measures deemed necessary in a post-9.11 world. A short video clip highlighted how all the emergency services now train and expect to work together in a closely co-ordinated way protect and assist the general population after a major incident.
§ Turning to typical health and safety issues, George stated the Service was presented with many challenges; not least because it was a “service” that has to be in partnership and collaboration – however long or briefly – with many other agencies. Many of those organizations seem to be more than happy to allow the Ambulance Service to take on risks for them … “ don’t move that patient, call the ambulance, let them do it!”
§ Moving and handling patients and equipment has been one of the major areas of concern for the Service. Trolley cots – used to transport vulnerable infants – can weigh in the region of 250Kgs. and incubators about 150 Kgs. Clearly, moving such equipment in and out of vehicles and aircraft can be hazardous. George recounted how he and others have worked hard on this type of problem and have devised innovative solutions that help to prevent injury to handlers whilst, at the same time, still providing the degree of medical technological facilities that the medical teams require for their patients.
§ Because it is an emergency service there is always a large amount of uncertainty facing many staff in there daily roles. Many work shifts (that might overrun the scheduled hours), the workload may shoot up suddenly, and “on scene” they may have to deal with people in panic or distress. Sometimes, too, ambulance crews have to face up to casualties they are treating dying in their care. Stress is an issue for the safety practitioner.
George stated that controlling the risks associated with the Ambulance Service requires a continuous chain of diligence. Management must manage this and it requires dynamic risk management to cope with the uncertainty. As one slide showed … “The challenge is to visualize the future and describe what has to be done to create and promote a culture and behaviour in the workplace characterized by motivated employees and managers that recognizes and understands their responsibilities and benefits from a strong health and safety culture at the forefront of their operational activities.”
At the end of his presentation George then took questions from a very interested audience.
8. Vote of Thanks – Robin Greer
At the end of George Dickson’s presentation to the meeting, Robin Greer thanked him for a most interesting presentation. After applause, a gift on behalf of the District in appreciation of a very informative and enjoyable talk was given to him.
9. Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held at the Dewar Centre on Thursday the 8th February 2007 commencing at 7.30pm. This meeting is the Annual General Meeting and will include the election of a new Committee; so all members are encouraged to attend. The topic for the speaker – Kirsten Paterson – is “Artists to Zoologists; Managing Health and Safety in Higher Education”.