We receive thousands of compliments every year for our staff but sometimes we are the ones who need to say thank you and show our appreciation.
On 30 March, our crews attended a fatal road traffic collision Brigg Road, A1084 in Grasby, North East Lincolnshire where unfortunately one patient died at the scene.
Ambulance crews worked hard to try and save the patient for over an hour in the cold and windy conditions.
Our staff often have to deal with difficult circumstances and sometimes see things that can be mentally challenging and may stay in their memories for a long time, so having a debrief once the incident is over is very important.
Nick Barker, landlord of the Cross Keys Pub in Grasby offered his hospitality for our Incident Commander to privately talk to his colleagues about what had just happened and provided hot drinks and refreshments to warm them up.
Mark Green, Clinical Operations Manager, was at the scene working as an Incident Commander on this day – liaising with other emergency services on scene and the hospitals where the patients may be taken to.
Mark was also responsible for the wellbeing of our crews and so led the brief.
He said: “Ensuring our ambulance crews have the opportunity to speak about what they have attended is key to their mental well-being. In a debrief we openly speak about what we have witnessed as well as any clinical learning we can take forward.
“When Nick invited us inside his property it meant that I had a safe environment for my staff to share their experiences and for me to ensure they were mentally ready to attend their next patient. I would like to thank Nick for his hospitality.”
Nick said his door was always open for the emergency services.
The landlord added: “I was more than happy to welcome the staff.
“I witnessed them working outside and knew that if that was me or a family member I know they would have received the highest level of care and compassion. They were amazing. They will always be welcome here.”
Today Mark Green attended the Cross Keys to thank Nick and daughter Steph for their help on the day.
We have staff support networks that are available 24 hours a day for staff, including peer to peer, pastoral care, a bereavement scheme and chaplaincy support. All of our staff also support each other, living the EMAS values of teamwork, contribution, integrity, respect and competence.