|
A
Mission
To save
Lives
A
GOVERNMENT
LIFE OR
DEATH
DECISION!
In 2002
Frixos
Savvides,
the
former
Health
Minister
promised
an
ambulance
service
with
trained
paramedics,
now 2007
and
nothing
has
materalised.
John
Thompson
with his
own
capital,
exceeding
£25,000
to equip
two
ambulances
has a
mission
to save
lives,
operating
under
the
company
Houston
Medical,
a
Cypriot
registered
company.
“As a
professional
paramedic,
the
importance
to be
trained
in first
aid
recovery
is vital
to
saving
lives,”
states
Thompson.
Thompson
is a
qualified
advisor
and
offers
first
aid
courses
from one
day
basic
tuition
to an
advanced
level on
occupational
health
and
safety.
In
Cyprus
there is
currently
no
accident
emergency
aid,
ambulances
may
arrive
with a
nurse,
but none
are
trained
Paramedics,
the
government
does not
recognise
this as
a
profession.
This is
a
staggering
fact and
Thompson
aims to
provide
essential
first
aid
training
and a
private
emergency
service,
being
the
first in
Cyprus.
John
Thompson
has 35
years
experience
gained
in the
Royal
Army
Medical
Corps
and as
chief
paramedic
in
Judail,
Saudi
Arabia.
He is a
HSE
approved
‘First
Aid at
Work’
Trainer
and
Assessor
able to
deliver
full
four day
‘First
Aid at
Work’
courses,
two day
re-qualification
courses
and
defibrillator
courses
along
with a
full
range of
differing
levels
of
training
tailored
to suit
clients’
requirements.
HSE have
associations
with
Nuco-Training,
who are
one of
the
largest
and most
highly
respected
Train
and
Trainer
organisations
ensuring
continuing
high
standards
of
training
for
Trainers
in many
fields,
especially
First
Aid,
providing
on-going
support
and back
up to
all
their
registered
Trainers.
Nuco-Training
also
have a
major
input in
the
decisions
and
policies
regarding
First
Aid
Protocols
within
the UK,
being
involved
with
several
National
Committees
and
Councils
that
make
such
decisions.
Other
courses
are
planned
aiming
at
individuals
who wish
to
progress
into
ambulance
aid or
become
Emergency
Medical
Technicians.
HSE are
currently
adding
to their
database
of
Trainers
and
Assessors,
so if
you are
an
experienced
Trainer
with up
to date
qualifications
please
contact
them
with
your
details.
Qualified
First
Aiders
and
EMT’s
for
various
events
are
required
too.
“The
time
involved
to train
a
Paramedic
is
approximately
three
years
with a
formal
examination
at the
end.
Trainees
are
expected
to reach
a
standard
to carry
out 25
line
intubations,
inserting
special
breathing
tubes
and 25
intravenous
infusions,
inserting
canules
into
veins.
These
form
part of
the
qualification
and no
paramedic
is
permitted
to
attend
an
emergency
unless
they are
competent
in these
procedures,”
Thompson
states.
The
World
Health
Organisation
advised
in 1994
that the
ambulance
service
be
replaced
with a
paramedic
run
service,
13 years
later
Cyprus
has
still
not
conformed.
Five
frontline
ambulances
with two
patient
transfer
vehicles
covers
the
Nicosia
area,
which
Thompson
feels is
the
requirement
for the
Paphos
to north
Polis
and
south
Pissouri
regional
span.
There
are now
two
fully
equipped
ambulances
in
Paphos
with
qualified
staff
ready to
manage
them.
Government
red tape
does not
allow
these
professionally
staffed
ambulances
to
operate
privately
because
Paramedics
are not
a
recognised
professional
body in
Cyprus.
“I have
approached
the
Government
on
several
occasions
offering
my
ambulances
and
expertise,
but
without
success,”
says
Thompson.
He is
now
endeavouring
to agree
with
insurance
companies
to
forward
plans to
run his
private
service
every
day and
every
minute.
Alas
until
the
Government
recognises
the need
for
Paramedics
to save
lives
and give
clearance
for
Thompson,
his
ambulance
service
with
Paramedics
will not
operate.
Emergency
aid is
imperative
to
saving
lives,
no
longer
can the
Cypriot
mentality
of
‘action
after
incident’
be
applied,
development
and
progression
has to
be now.
John
Thompson
can be
contacted
on
99375284
or visit
www.houstonmedicalltd.com
for
details
of
courses
and
services.
Other
headlines:
|
