Earlier this year, Greg was off-duty, when a 999 call was made for a patient who was choking in a nearby restaurant. Greg volunteers as Community First Responder, so he was alerted to the incident by the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre and because he was just around the corner he was on scene within minutes. Greg was able to use his paramedic skills to clear the blockage and secure the patient’s airway, before starting ventilations all before the arrival of the ambulance.
Guernsey’s Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark Mapp said: “Greg acted promptly and professionally and his actions on that day saved the patient’s life”. The award was presented to Greg by the Chairman of St John Ambulance & Rescue Service, Marc Farror.
Greg joined Guernsey’s ambulance service in 2014, initially working on the Patient Transfer Service. He then moved to the emergency ambulance service and qualified as a paramedic in 2020. He volunteers as one of the islands Community First Responders, who are alerted to immediately life-threatening cases in their vicinity and are trained and equipped to provide life-saving treatment in the minutes before an ambulance arrives. When a patient is choking, the blockage can cause them to stop breathing and without prompt intervention this can lead to a cardiac arrest.
Although paramedics and Community Fist Responders have additional skills and training, members of the public can give first aid for someone who is choking, by encouraging the casualty to cough and if the patient cannot clear the object themselves the first aider can lean the casualty forward and give up to five back blows between the shoulder blades. If this is unsuccessful, the first aider can give up to five abdominal thrusts. If a casualty is choking it is also important to dial 999 and be prepared to start CPR if they become unresponsive.
To find out more about first aid training in Guernsey click https://stjohntraining.gg/
St John provides the ambulance service on behalf of the States of Guernsey through a grant from the Committee for Health & Social Care. The grant is a contribution towards the operating costs of the service, with the remaining costs being met in a variety of ways including the subscription scheme and charges. An ambulance attendance in Guernsey is not free, so anyone who isn’t a member of the subscription scheme will be charged for an ambulance attendance. The scheme is available to join irrespective of your age or pre-existing medical conditions.
Membership of the 2024 scheme for Guernsey and Herm residents is £63 for an adult (aged 18 years to 65 years) £29 for a child (under 18) and £46 for a senior citizen (65 and over). For Sark residents (all ages) membership is a flat rate of £149.
Monthly Direct Debit payments are now available, instead of an annual one-off payment. The monthly rates are: adults £5.25, children £2.42, senior citizens £3.83 and Sark residents £12.42. Payment can also be made by card on the subscription portal https://subscription.ambulance.gg, or by card, cheques and cash in person at the ambulance station reception (Monday to Friday 08:30-16:30), cheques can also be sent in the post to St John Ambulance and Rescue Service, Rohais, St Peter Port, GY1 1YN.
Members of the scheme receive an annual reminder explaining what the cost for the next period will be and the option to cancel if membership is no longer required. For new subscribers, membership must be taken for a minimum period of 12 months.
Without a subscription, an ambulance responding to an emergency call can incur a charge of £447 (plus an extra £86 if additional paramedic skills are required), a non-emergency patient transfer booked in advance by a healthcare professional will incur a charge of up to £144.
Renewal emails and letters for existing members are being sent out this month and anyone with an existing direct debit will be automatically renewed and therefore they do not need to take any action unless their details have changed or they wish to cancel.
A Subscription Scheme membership will cover an individual for up to 10 non-emergency patient transfers, 5 emergency ambulance attendances and 5 marine ambulance transfers. (This does not apply to transfers in respect of renal dialysis treatment, which are unlimited when arranged by a healthcare professional). Should an individual reach the allotted number of transfers within their membership period, they will have the option to purchase a top-up to the subscription. Top-ups are at an increased rate and subject to a maximum of two in any one year, which is still less than the cost of an ambulance without a subscription.
2024 Ambulance Subscription Scheme Annual Cost
| Type | Cost |
| Adult | £63 |
| Child | £29 |
| OAP | £46 |
| Sark resident | £149 |
2024 Standard Ambulance charges (No subscription)
| Type | Cost |
| Ambulance charge | £447 |
| Marine Ambulance Herm | £591 |
| Marine Ambulance Sark | £2,212 |
| Deployed Paramedic Skills | £86 |
| Non-Emergency Patient Transfer | £144 |
The full range of charges and the opportunity to take out a subscription can be found on the subcription website https://ambulance.gg/subscription-scheme/ or by request.
Chief Executive Officer Mark Mapp said: “In our ongoing commitment to providing cost-effective and accessible emergency medical services, St John Ambulance and Rescue annually reviews our subscription scheme. Recognising the challenges of medical inflation exceeding the current cost of living, we prioritise equal access to our vital services for the entire community.
This year, in a proactive effort to address health inequalities, we are pleased to introduce a monthly direct debit option for our subscription scheme. By enabling costs to be spread over 12 months, we aim to enhance accessibility and ensure that our essential services are within reach for everyone in the community.
St John Ambulance and Rescue is dedicated to evolving our practices to serve the community better. We remain steadfast in providing high-quality, accessible emergency medical services.”
A paramedic officer has been sent to Alderney to provide additional clinical and command support for the Alderney ambulance crew. Some of the Alderney staff have also offered to cancel their leave so they can be on standby if needed. Another paramedic officer has been sent to Sark to provide additional resilience for the island and support for the Sark doctor. Herm island has been informed of contingency plans, and on-island responders will receive hear and treat clinical support from Guernsey if required.
The decision to increase resilience in the other islands was made following the warning of severe weather with winds of up to 95 mph predicted. The airport and harbours will be closed on Thursday at the height of the storm, meaning there will be no flights or ferries.
Islanders are being advised to stay at home on Thursday and not travel unless essential. Schools will also be closed.
In Guernsey, additional ambulance crews will also be on duty during the next 36 hours, with some operational changes possible during the storm. At times there may be some delays to ambulance responses, however 999 calls will be triaged and life-threatening cases will be given priority. For less urgent calls medical advice from a clinician may be given over the phone, by a paramedic officer who will be stationed at the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre (JESSC).
St John Ambulance and Rescue Service (SJARS) Chief Executive Officer, Mark Mapp, is asking islanders to heed the advice from the States of Guernsey: “We have put special arrangements in place as part of our emergency planning and preparedness. The safety and protection of patients, staff and volunteers will continue to be our priority, but depending on the severity and impact of the storm some of our normal operating procedures may have to change. The best thing people can do to support the emergency services is to stay at home and not put themselves or our emergency responders at risk. If anyone needs urgent medical help they should call 999 in the normal way and the most appropriate response will be arranged.”
The Non-emergency Patient Transfer Service (NEPTS) will only be providing transport for essential patients. Any patients whose journey will need to be rescheduled will be contacted by the NEPTS team.
For the latest information please visit https://www.gov.gg/stormciaran
The States of Guernsey has issued a warning of severe weather which is due to arrive on Wednesday with the worst of the storm and winds of up to 95 mph predicted to hit in the early hours of Thursday. On Thursday, islanders are being advised to stay at home if possible and not travel unless essential.
St John Ambulance and Rescue Service (SJARS) is putting special arrangements in place, which will be continually reviewed based on the latest information. The safety and protection of patients, staff and volunteers will continue to be our priority. Operational changes may be needed during the storm, and at times there may be delays to ambulance responses. 999 calls will be triaged with the priority being given to life threatening cases. For less urgent calls medical advice from a clinician may be given over the phone.
The Non-emergency Patient Transfer Service (NEPTS) will only be providing transport for essential patients. Any patients whose journey will need to be rescheduled will be contacted by the NEPTS team.
For the latest information please visit https://www.gov.gg/stormciaran
After reading a Guernsey Press article in 1997, about a library needing volunteers to deliver books to people in their homes, Grace Spittal began volunteering with the St John Community Library. Almost 26 years later, Grace’s service and continued dedication to the library and its users has been recognised at a recent presentation.
The St John Community library is a free to access library service which has both a physical library in the Rohais and also offers a free home delivery service for those who can’t visit the library. Heather Langlois, chief executive of the St John charity said “Our library is run by a dedicated team of volunteers who also provide friendship, social contact and conversations for people who might otherwise feel isolated or lonely. A visit from a delivery volunteer like Grace, may be the only visitor that some of the service users will see each week. We are so immensely grateful for Grace and for all that she has done over the years”.
Asked what she enjoys most about her role, Grace said she spends a lot of time with her readers to find out about their literary tastes which she then uses to customise the selections of books to deliver to that reader. “I had one reader who only read Cowboy books, and over the years most of those books had been issued to him at least seven times! I expect the plots were similar but as long as there was a horse, a goodie, a baddie and a gal – that made riveting reading! I love meeting people and reading, so I offered my help all of those years ago and am still enjoying it” said Grace.
The St John Community Library in the Rohais is open to the public on Tuesdays 1pm-4pm. Home deliveries take place throughout the week. The library can be contacted on 727129 or by emailing library@stjohn.gg
Miss Lihou delivered a presentation titled ‘Ambulance service safety culture and its relationship with patient safety incident reporting’ at the annual Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF), organised by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, which took place at Celtic Manor in Wales this week.
The presentation was based on the findings of a research project undertaken by Miss Lihou with the University of Liverpool, where she has been studying a Masters of Science in Healthcare Leadership.
The academic project looked at the experience of ambulance clinicians and analysed the relationship between safety culture and the reporting of patient safety incidents across a number of ambulance services.
Aimee said she was delighted to represent Guernsey and St John at this event: “It was a huge privilege to be invited to speak at ALF. Patient safety is a subject I am deeply passionate about and is at the heart of my role in Guernsey, where we encourage the reporting of safety incidents and events as part of a supportive culture to improve patient care. I was interested to investigate this issue across several island jurisdictions and to consider what lessons could be learnt and what developments could be made, I believe the finding of this research could have wider implications for all ambulance services”
Mark Mapp, CEO of St John Ambulance & Rescue Service added: “Aimee’s contribution to this critical topic will undoubtedly make Guernsey’s presence felt on the national stage.”
Established in 2006 and hosted by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), the Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF) is the only annual event designed specifically for senior leaders across the UK ambulance sector. This highly respected annual conference and showcasing event brings together board members, managers, NHS system leaders, politicians, academics, and health & social care partners with key suppliers who have a direct interest in improving the UK ambulance sector.
The ‘Exceptional Paramedic’ award was presented at the Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF), a national ambulance sector event organised by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), which was held at Celtic Manor, South Wales between 02-03 October 2023.
Kelly’s work is a partnership between St John Ambulance & Rescue Service and Guernsey’s Committee for Health & Social Care. Part of the project includes a health review scheme for islanders when they reach their 80th birthday, known as ‘Cake and Consultation’ which promotes physical health and wellbeing, and supports independence and safety at home. The project aims to address any concerns while they are in their infancy, before they escalate.
Mark Mapp, CEO of St John Ambulance & Rescue Service said: Kelly’s dedication and outstanding performance in preventative care have earned her this well-deserved national recognition, and we couldn’t be prouder. This partnership project has benefitted patients who have received individualised clinical advice, lifestyle support and provision of equipment to improve health and wellbeing. The feedback from our community has been extremely positive.”
Dr Lynda Potter, Associate Director, Community Health & Social Care said: ‘With an ageing population the broad aim of Kelly’s post is to provide proactive interventions for people as they age, particularly those with frailty, or those at risk of becoming frail. Kelly has succeeded in her role and perhaps the best testimony is from those people who she has made a difference to.
Here are some comments froma few of
Kelly’s patients:
“Anyone who saw Kelly would have the best experience of health care”
“I very much want to stay independent for as long as possible. This service helps me to do that. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure”
“To know that one can get in touch with the Adult Community Services if one needs help or advice as one gets older, makes me feel better.”
Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE said: “The AACE outstanding service awards give ambulance trusts the opportunity to pay tribute to one member of staff from each of our seventeen member services who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their work during the past year.
Whether they are front line clinicians, control centres operatives, volunteers or working in support teams, this year’s recipients have really done themselves, their patients and their colleagues proud, with each person highly deserving of this recognition by their peers.”
Established in 2006 and hosted by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), the Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF) is the only annual event designed specifically for senior leaders across the UK ambulance sector. This highly respected annual conference and showcasing event brings together board members, managers, NHS system leaders, politicians, academics, and health & social care partners with key suppliers who have a direct interest in improving the UK ambulance sector
This annual initiative unites a coalition of partners committed to increasing survival rates from sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Mark Mapp, CEO of St John Ambulance and Rescue, emphasised the vital importance of this collaborative effort, stating: “The Emergency Ambulance Service works closely with the Cardiac Action Group, public sector, and other community-based charities right across the Bailiwick to help improve survival from sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Each year, an alliance of partners team up to raise awareness of what the community can do should they be faced with someone who has collapsed before the arrival of an ambulance.”
Restart a Heart Day serves as a powerful reminder that every member of our community has the potential to become a lifesaver. Through engaging face-to-face training sessions or the innovative Resuscitation Council UK Liversaver online interactive learning tool, individuals can equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in a crisis.
St John Ambulance and Rescue, together with the Cardiac Action Group, have been steadfast in their commitment to making life-saving training accessible.
Mark Mapp added: “St John provides training in schools and to the wider community, and with the Cardiac Action Group offering free awareness sessions for the past few years, there is no excuse for not stepping forward to save a life if needed.”
In a medical emergency, it is crucial to act swiftly and confidently. Mark Mapp urge: “Should anyone need help in a medical emergency, they should contact the Joint Emergency Service Control Centre immediately by calling 999 or 112. The caller will be supported with first aid advice and directed to any nearby defibrillators before the arrival of the emergency services.”
Restart a Heart Day is not just a day on the calendar; it’s an opportunity for our community to come together, empower themselves with life-saving skills, and make a difference when it matters most. St John Ambulance and Rescue and its dedicated partners are committed to ensuring that everyone in the Bailiwick has the knowledge and confidence to act in emergencies.
Join us in celebrating Restart a Heart Day and take the first step towards becoming a lifesaver in your community. Details of community events in Guernsey around Restart a Heart Day will be published shortly.
St John offered to assist after the organisers of the event made a last minute public appeal for an extra boat to carry families of those who were lost on the the Royal Navy cruiser and destroyer during World War 2. The volunteer crew of the Flying Christine were delighted to help. The Flying Christine joined the St Peter Port Lifeboat, enabling all those who wanted to to travel into the Little Russel for the short ceremony.
Our involvement in the wreath laying service was especially fitting because 80 years ago, during the Occupation of Guernsey, St John Ambulance personal retrieved the bodies of 21 sailors who were washed up on Guernsey’s beaches. Every year we remember those who were lost at sea and representatives of Guernsey’s ambulance service and the St John charity also take part in the memorial service at La Foulon cemetery.
This year the Chief Executive of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service, the Cadet of the Year and Badger of the Year placed wreaths on the war graves in the service attended by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and island dignitaries.
A total of 504 servicemen died in the sinking of British the warships during Operational Tunnel.
The St John marine ambulance volunteer boat crew had a great day giving the Guernsey public tours of the Flying Christine III.
Our youth leaders, Cadets and volunteer first aiders were on hand with first aid demonstrations, our Cycle Response Unit and off-road ambulance.
Lots of people discovered more about how St John supports our community in many different ways, with St John First Aid Training, our Community Library and Preventative Care work.
The emergency ambulance and rapid response car were popular with families and our teams of staff and volunteers enjoyed meeting everyone.
We’re looking forward to being back with another Seafront Sunday in 2024.
Thank you.
