Rotherham hospital doctor joins air ambulance critical care team

Dr Anil Hormis is one of three anaesthetists to become part of the new Yorkshire Critical Care Team.

It also includes Dr Steve Rowe and Neil Sambridge, from Sheffield, and eight other consultants.

Dr Andrew Pountney, emergency medicine consultant at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, is clinical lead for the Yorkshire Critical Care Team.

He said: “We have had doctors flying with Yorkshire Air Ambulance on an ad-hoc basis for over 10 years now.

“But thanks to this initiative we now have a dedicated and funded system to ensure that a consultant with appropriate training and experience in pre-hospital emergency medicine can respond every day of the year.”

The doctors, who have been seconded to YAS by their host trusts, will support the work of YAA paramedics who have extended critical care skills. 

They will also work alongside physicians with the West Yorkshire Medic Response Team and British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) who respond by road to serious incidents.

Dr Pountney added: “This is about complementing the excellent service already provided by Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics and other front-line response teams.

“For the vast majority of the time the doctors will have a vital role providing support for the paramedics when they are using their extended skills.

“The doctors will also be able to make advanced clinical decisions and deliver critical care interventions very quickly, including pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia.

“There will be occasions when having an experienced doctor on board will mean that certain life-saving procedures can be done on scene.”