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** Memorial service for air ambulance crash victims held in Memphis

** Australian health minister in Victoria nixes in-depth scrutiny following 4 cardiac deaths in 4 days after EMS delays

** A memorial service was held Tuesday in Memphis for the victims of an October 22nd air ambulance crash. The Associated Press (October 30) said the commemoration at the Hope Presbyterian Church saw some 2,000 people attend to honor the lives of pilot Charles Smith, 47, nurse Carrie Barlow, 43, and respiratory therapist Denise Adams, 43. Including medics and first responders from across western Tennessee, the service also had an honor guard of ambulances and fire trucks. The trio were on their way to Bolivar to pick up a sick child when the chopper went down. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials continue to investigate.

** Despite four cardiac patients dying within a four day period last week after EMS delays, Victoria’s health minister says there is no need for an in-depth investigation. That is the word from the Herald Sun (October 29) which quoted David Davis as saying that while the system works fine, occasionally better management is needed. In addition to reiterating his goverment’s commitment to EMS, Davis said increasing paramedic numbers and instituting a referral service will help to ease pressure. His optimistic comments were in stark contrast, however, to those of Ambulance Victoria general manager of regional services Tony Walker. Walker told reporters prehospital care in the state is definitely struggling. Walker’s sentiments were backed by opposition politicians who called for urgent change to avert an ongoing crisis.