Friday, December 21, 2012

** BC paramedic lauded for actions in helping to save woman

** UK medic suspended for one year for off duty cocaine use

CANADA NEWS

** A BC Ambulance paramedic is being lauded for his actions in saving a Mission woman who had rolled her truck into a ditch filled with freezing water. Global BC (December 19) said the Tuesday incident played out with practitioner Daryl Stroet arriving on the scene of the crash before other responders. After hailing aid, Stroet jumped into the icy depths to stay with the woman for some 30 minutes and reassure her that help was on the way. Wen firefighters arrived with the Jaws of Life, the woman was extricated to safety. There is no word on the woman’s current condition.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A Liverpool paramedic has been suspended for one year for off duty cocaine use. That is the word from the Liverpool Echo (John Siddle/December 20) which said Lee Blayney, employed by the North West Ambulance Service, was turfed after an ex-partner informed EMS brass in June 2011 of his co-worker’s habits. According to the newspaper, Blayney initially denied his drug use but later copped to using starting in 2010. The Health Care Professions Council yanked his licence after concluding his fitness to practice was impaired. Although no longer a field practitioner, he remains employed with the service in a lesser capacity.