Man dies following fire – Resuscitation Rapid Response Unit – Constitution Street works – Sunshine on Leith premiere – Sex offender convicted
A small team of Scottish Ambulance Service staff in Edinburgh are part of a pioneering project with the Resuscitation Research Group at the University of Edinburgh, led by Dr Gareth Clegg, that has significantly increased survivability rates for out of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in the city.
Working in partnership with emergency medical consultants in the Resuscitation Research Group, based at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the Service created a specially trained team of paramedics targeted to cardiac calls.
The project started in April 2011 and the rate of Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) for cardiac arrest patients in Lothian is now 23.5%, against a national figure of 17.5%. ROSC is the clinical measure of survivability for OHCA and the target for Scotland, based on World Heath Organisation standards, is 12%-20%.
Now called the Resuscitation Rapid Response Unit (3RU) the team collect and audit data from defibrillators for review, analysis and training and undertake ongoing master classes with consultants and a resuscitation officer to continuously improve resuscitation. A small device is also used to measure CPR as it is administered to patients and the data recovered forms part of the learning programme. Called QCPR, the device also prompts changes in technique during resuscitation, if required.
The 3RU project was developed from an earlier cardiac research project called Topcat, in which Dr Richard Lyon worked closely with paramedics in Edinburgh to measure core temperature and the effects of cooling.
The 3RU project was recognised as world leading when Dr Lyon’s presentation on the initiative beat off competition from 400 other abstracts to win the top prize at the European Resuscitation Council Congress at the end of last year. The project was supported by research funding of around £90,000 from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.
The average response time in Scotland for a cardiac related 999 call is currently six minutes and last year ambulance crews saved the lives of 523 patients in cardiac arrest.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said:-“We know that the sooner people get treatment after a heart attack can mean the difference between life and death. This ground-breaking project is a great example of our NHS and leading academics working together to lead the way and the results from this pilot are already demonstrating that the scheme has real potential to save many more lives.
“For many people our ambulance service is the beating heart of our NHS – providing vital services to people when they need it most.
“It was such a pleasure to meet some of the patients who have benefitted from this project. I am grateful they have taken the time to share their story and I am extremely pleased that they have gone on to make such a good recovery.”
David Garbutt, Chairman, Scottish Ambulance Service, said:-“Out of hospital cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of mortality across Europe and the original research project with Dr Lyon identified the potential benefits of developing a specially trained resuscitation team to target cardiac calls.
“Ambulance staff play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of OHCA and the focus on continuously developing and improving resuscitation techniques is saving more lives.
“This is a world leading initiative and we are currently developing plans for appropriate models to roll out the learning and practice across the country.”
Over 500 of the QCPR devices will be used for learning by ambulance crews and volunteer first responders across the country.
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Works started earlier this week on the improvement of the junction of Bernard Street and Baltic Street with Constitution Street. The work is taking place as part of the wider Leith Programme.
The works will involve:
- Providing new, signalled pedestrian crossing facilities on the sides where there is currently no provision for pedestrians, to make it easier and safer to cross the road on any side of the junction
- Improving the quality of the pavements with Caithness stone paving flags, to tie in with the new paving used in Constitution Street
- Replacing the two crossing islands on Bernard Street with a single, larger pedestrian island that will make it safer and easier to cross, and taking away unnecessary guard rail
- Closing Assembly Street to motor vehicles at the junction, to allow for a proper, signalled pedestrian crossing across Baltic Street. Cyclists will still be able to access Assembly Street here.
- Assembly Street will become two way for traffic and new parking restrictions will apply at the area where the road is closed, to assist vehicles to turn. Access to Assembly Street will be maintained from the east end of Baltic Street at Salamander Street.
Work is expected to be complete by late November 2013. Constitution Street will have to be temporarily closed to through traffic during certain stages of the road works to allow construction of the new layout and diversion routes will be clearly signed during these periods.
Because these roads are busy, there may be congestion during the construction period throughout the surrounding area.
Normal site working hours will be from 7am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and work may occasionally be carried out on Saturdays between 8am to 5pm. Overnight or Sunday working will only take place in exceptional circumstances and should this be necessary nearby residents will be notified in advance.
BUS SERVICE
During the works the Lothian Buses service 16 heading towards the city centre will operate via the Shore and Henderson Street. The northbound service 16 to Ocean Terminal is unaffected and will remain on Constitution Street.
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Edinburgh is to host the International Premiere of this Autumn’s feel good movie, SUNSHINE ON LEITH, on Tuesday 17 September 2013.
Rosie Ellison, Manager of Marketing Edinburgh’s Film Office, said:- “Edinburgh is delighted to be hosting the international premiere of this iconic musical. The city plays an integral part of in the Sunshine on Leith story, which perfectly captures Edinburgh’s personality and vibrancy. From the initial stages, working closely with the production team to source locations and help with logistics such as parking and accommodation, to assisting with the organisation and promotion of the UK premiere, Marketing Edinburgh is proud to have played its part in bringing this terrific film to the big screen.”
Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said:- “The wonderful sights of Edinburgh and Leith, not to mention the warmth of its residents, come under the spotlight in this feel-good movie and I’m sure that anyone watching Sunshine on Leith will be encouraged to enjoy a visit to Scotland’s capital after seeing it on the silver screen. The city will be promoted on the back of the film by VisitScotland and Marketing Edinburgh through social media, a movie map and press activity. Sunshine on Leith is further proof that Scotland is the ultimate movie set.”
Award winning Director Dexter Fletcher and Producer Andrew Macdonald will be joined by cast Peter Mullan, Jane Horrocks, Antonia Thomas, George MacKay and Kevin Guthrie with special guests The Proclaimers ahead of the film’s release at the International Premiere at the Edinburgh’s Vue Cinema, Omni Centre on 17 September 2013.
Entertainment Film Distributors will release SUNSHINE ON LEITH on Friday 4 October 2013 across the UK and Ireland.
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A sex offender who abused two children in Midlothian over three decades was convicted yesterday.
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon John McCallum, (53), was found guilty of a series of serious sexual offences committed from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.
His victims were young children when the abuse began, and suffered at his hands throughout their childhood and teenage years.
In a joint statement, Tracy and Rachel Steadwood (both 40), who are twin sisters, said:-“It has taken a lot of years and bravery to come forward and tell police about what happened, but we did so, and justice has done us proud.
“I would encourage any victims of abuse who have not reported their ordeal to the police to come forward. We did, and we finally have justice.”
Detective Chief Inspector Kenny Gray, from Police Scotland, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Tracy and Rachel, who have shown tremendous bravery to waive their right to anonymity and encourage other victims of abuse to come forward to police.
“Police Scotland is committed to keeping people safe, and we will carry out a thorough and robust investigation whenever we receive a report of sexual abuse, regardless of how long ago it happened.
“Likewise we will always act on any information we receive about anyone who is at risk of abuse.
“I would appeal to anyone who has suffered abuse in the past, who has not reported the matter, to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101, or make a report through a third party organisation such as Rape Crisis Scotland, or Women’s Aid.
“Anyone in such a position should be reassured that any reports will be dealt with sensitively, and care and support will be provided.”
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