The crash happened at around 1.30pm at the junction of Finchley Road and Frognal Lane. It is understood the police car was travelling southbound on the Finchley Road and the ambulance was travelling eastbound towards Frognal when the crash happened.

Both cars were severely damaged in the collision and the roof had to be cut off the police car to free the driver.

via Hampstead and Highgate Express.

The family of Roy Adams believe he might have survived if those ‘vital minutes’ had not been squandered.

The 61-year-old police chauffeur, who suffered a suspected heart attack, did finally receive treatment, but died on the way to hospital after suffering breathing difficulties.

via Mail Online.

The London Ambulance Service’s control room sent paramedics to 2,152 patients reported to be seriously ill or injured over the weekend, compared with 1,751 during the previous Saturday and Sunday.

It is an increase of 23 per cent and deputy director of operations Jason Killens said: “The weekend was very busy for both our control room and frontline staff and we would urge everyone to take care when they are out and about in the sun this week.

Read full article: This Is Local London.

Young people’s drinking is having serious repercussions on their health and on public services The report said young women aged 11-15 have drinking habits similar to those of their male peers.

Hospital admissions for these females are almost double those for men of the same age because of their lower tolerance of alcohol.

Read full article: BBC NEWS

Tara Donnelly left West Middlesex University Hospital trust suddenly in February after eight patients waited more than 12 hours to be admitted.

The trust said she stepped down because it had failed to inform NHS London at the time of the breaches on 19 January, which may have allowed patients to be diverted to other hospitals.

Read full article: Health Service Journal.

The trial scheme which was introduced in October 2004 has been successful.

Read full article: Compare Airport Parking.

The kit will be carried in a specially designed backpack on all fire engines at Barnet, Finchley, Hendon and Mill Hill fire stations.

Following consultations with the London Ambulance Service, the packs will include defibrillators, suction devices to maintain open airways, cervical spinal collars and improved wound dressings.

The Immediate Emergency Care scheme will mean fire crews can carry out emergency treatment on casualties to the same standards as paramedics.

London Fire Brigade’s borough commander for Barnet, Tom George, said the new kit “will undoubtedly save lives”.

He said: “Every second counts, and in an emergency where we are first on the scene, this kit could increase the chance of a casualty surviving.

“It will be used when we arrive on the scene before paramedics, or when we attend an incident where paramedics might struggle to get to the casualty, such as when there is blocked access or an unsafe structure.

“It also allows firefighters to look after each other if the need to provide emergency treatment arises.”

Firefighters will be given the equipment and extra training to provide urgent medical care until paramedics arrive.

The scheme will be introduced to around one quarter of London Fire Brigade’s vehicles each year, with the full roll out of equipment and staff training being completed within three years.

Read full article: Times Series.

Sigurd Reinton will complete his third term at the end of April.

He said: “Leaving will be a wrench – the service has got under my skin as I know it does for almost everyone who gets involved with it.”

In February the trust became the first ambulance service to begin consulting on becoming a foundation.

Mr Reinton said: “I am honoured to have been allowed to play a role in an organisation that so directly touches the lives of Londoners and will be leaving behind a fantastic group of people – including the many frontline and support staff I have met over the years – and many good friends.

Read full article: HSJ

One of the latest big ideas in London is the creation of eight specialist stroke and trauma centres around the capital, one of which will either be at Barnet Hospital or in Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow in West London.

Treatment of a stroke in the early stages is crucial to saving lives and preventing long-term damage, and the Government target is that all people should be within 30 minutes ambulance ride of treatment.

According to Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals Trust, which is fighting for the “hyper-acute stroke unit”, a local centre would meet that target.

Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals had 672 emergency stroke admissions in 2007, while Northwick Park had just 465.

Yet Healthcare for London, the body which represents all PCTs across London, said in its stroke consultation document that: “Both hospitals showed they could equally meet future standards. Northwick Park is our preferred site for the hyper-acute stroke unit as it provides better travel times and its location better reflects existing patient flows.”

Read full article: This Is Local London.