Milton Keynes mayor to have first-hand experience of paramedics

The Mayor will spend most of Saturday with one of the dedicated team of specialist paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service.

As well as having the clinical skills to attend serious incidents, one of the purposes of the specialist paramedic role is to reduce the number of people taken to A&E for treatment as they can administer that treatment at the scene or later at the patient’s home.

They can stitch wounds and administer drugs or medication.

Mr McLean said: “Paramedics are often the unsung heroes – the job they do can be literally a matter of life or death – but they just get on with it.

“I have no idea what is ahead of me on the day – or what the team will have to deal with, but I am very excited about being allowed to spend some time with these dedicated men and women who make such a difference.”

He added: “Fortunately I have limited first-hand experience of the SCAS paramedic service, once as the patient and once as the person who called 999.

“On both occasions the crew demonstrated calm authority putting me and the other patient at ease, as well as the families, whilst performing diagnostic checks and immediate treatment in the other patient’s case. I expect to see the same on Saturday.”

Mark Begley, Area Manager for Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale, said: “We’re really looking forward to having the Mayor with us on Saturday so he can see first-hand the level of demand and diversity on today’s ambulance service, and also just how dedicated, compassionate and professional our staff are to be able to keep delivering gold standards of care to our patients in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.”