Medical director honoured for police force project
UK HEMS charity Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s medical director, Dr Syed Masud, was named Doctor of the Year at this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2017.
UK HEMS charity Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s medical director, Dr Syed Masud, was named Doctor of the Year at this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2017. Dr Masud won the award for the work he did leading the introduction of medical governance within Thames Valley Police.
Dr Masud’s project encompassed all aspects of the policy, training and equipment given to officers, and means that police officers can provide both basic and enhanced First Aid care. He had previously completed a similar project with the Metropolitan Police.
“Providing lifesaving first aid is a critical part of the role of police officers,” Lynn Cleaver, first aid training lead for Thames Valley Police explains. “Indeed, the first rule of policing is to protect and save lives. Not only are police officers likely to be the first responder to a medical emergency, but they might also be required to administer first aid.”
Some of the actions that Dr Masud has brought in for the force include: placing AEDs and resuscitation equipment onto police vehicles; training Specialist Unit medics – including Counter Terrorism Officers – in enhanced bleeding control; and management of causalities in different environments.
Dr Syed commented: “I am truly humbled to have been nominated by colleagues in the police service and it is an incredible feeling to have won. I am deeply passionate about achieving gold standard patient care, which is at the heart of my motivation.”