** UK medic stabbed by patient;recovering in hospital in serious condition
** Michigan medics could get help in next-of-kin notifications from proposal to put digital
emergency contact info on drivers’ licences
UNITED KINGDOM NEWS
** Thames Valley Police in Stoke have arrested an Aylesbury man who allegedly stabbed a paramedic
with a screwdriver. That is the word from The Telegraph (Danny Boyle/January 21) which said the
5:50 a.m. incident happened Thursday while the EMS unit was en route to Stoke Mandeville
Hospital. According to the newspaper, the man, 43, was being treated for a possible stroke. He has
now been arrested for suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and remains in police custody.
The South Central Ambulance Service medic, meanwhile, sustained a wound to his abdomen and
is now in serious, but not life threatening, condition in hospital.
UNITED STATES NEWS
** Michigan may be about to sign into law a statute that would allow people to place digital
next-of-kin information on drivers’ licences and other personal identification cards. WKZO
(January 21) said a bill relating to the matter passed the state House Wednesday and is now on
Governor Ric Snyder’s desk. According to the news site, the use of the data on standard ID cards
could aid police and paramedics in alerting families of MVA victims of medical emergencies and deaths.
At the same time, the approach could be key to helping return wandering Alzheimer’s patients to
their rightful residences. The state of Virginia already has a similar program. To become law, the
bill requires the governor’s signature. There is no word on whether he will support the measure.
