Our Doctors and Paramedics
Teamwork is an essential part to delivering lifesaving critical care. Our dispatcher, pilot, first officer, specialist doctor and critical care paramedic work in close collaboration both with each other and with other services on the scene to provide high quality, lifesaving care.
Meet Paramedic Ben and Doctor Eyston, who are here to give an insight into their everyday:
“I still enjoy the challenge of my job every day even after 12 years. Responding to incidents requires close collaboration with our colleagues from other emergency services so that, together, we can help to save lives and provide the best possible patient outcomes.”
“I feel a great privilege in working with such an exceptional group of people, each of whom are an important part of making Team KSS successful in achieving our goals of providing world class pre-hospital healthcare to the people of and visitors to Kent, Surrey and Sussex.”
Ben, as a paramedic, how does your role differ from Doctor Eyston's role when you are on scene?
We work and train together so much that we can both do each other’s jobs. However, a paramedic will usually be in charge of managing the ‘scene’ which includes interacting with other paramedics and planning the logistics of how we will get the patient to hospital. The doctor usually examines the patient, decides what treatments they need and works with the paramedic to deliver these.
Eyston, what's the benefit of having both a doctor and paramedic on board to deliver critical care?
The doctor/paramedic team that we use works very well. We both use each other’s expertise to deliver the best care to our patients. We can deliver treatments that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do, such as: giving certain medications, delivering an emergency anaesthetic and performing lifesaving surgical treatments.
Eyston, what are the main differences to treating patients on the roadside compared to in the hospital?
On the roadside you’re battling the elements and debris, and have panicked family and bystanders nearby. Hospitals tend to be more orderly, more sterile, and have designated areas for loved ones to receive important updates. Hospitals also have more support and supplies/ equipment, whereas on the roadside we only have the kit on our backs and what’s on board.
Ben, what are the training differences between a doctor and paramedic?
Both require University degrees, however a doctor’s is longer with more time spent learning about medical science and diseases. A doctor works mainly in hospital then does special training to work with the ambulance service. A paramedic works mostly in the ambulance and they are the experts at managing patients before they get to hospital.
Eyston, what does it feel like when a call comes in and you're dispatched?
Hearing the phone go off instinctively makes the whole team jump into action. As soon as we’re dispatched, we know that every second counts. Our only collective focus is to do everything we can for the patient and ensure the best outcome possible.
What difference do our supporters make to the work that you both do?
It’s a privilege to provide lifesaving emergency care to the people and visitors of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex. To put it simply, we couldn’t keep flying without the generosity of our supporters. Knowing that lives are being saved thanks to donors, volunteers, and event participants should make them very proud; I know it certainly makes us proud.
