Hebburn ambulance man's idea is lifesaver

Dave Morgan’s brainstorm led to the development of the North East Ambulance Service’s (NEAS) electronic Clinical Annual Record of Excellence system (CARE).

It gives instant updates on any computer, smartphone or tablet to on-the-road ambulance crews – and is being rolled out region-wide.

The system alerts them to changes to best practice for treating conditions such as stroke, and ensures they are providing the right care at the right time.

NEAS’s clinical care managers can also use it to access information about their team, and send performance updates to those they see infrequently.

Dave, who is based at Monkton station in Hebburn and has just been promoted to quality improvement manager, was presented with NEAS’s annual Chairman’s Award.

It is given to those who excel across their entire job brief – and beyond.

Peter Strachen, Chair of NEAS, said: “The amount of credit David Morgan has received this year from colleagues was outstanding.

“His goal was to create a system that could improve outcomes for patients and help frontline staff with their personal development and the quality of care they give.

“The phenomenal efforts he has invested personally and professionally and his general attitude to work has been driven by his own determination and the benefits he could generate for patient care.”

The CARE system so impressed NEAS bosses, that it also picked up the innovation category award.

NEAS says CARE may further improve patient care and staff morale due to the way it provides a way to better reward staff for a job well done.

Dave began his NEAS career in 2007 as an ambulance care assistant for patient transport, becoming an ambulance care assistant three months later.

By the end of the year he had switched roles again to work as an Emergency Care Support Worker.

He started student paramedic training at Teesside University in 2009 and qualified two years later.