Paramedics are often the first healthcare professionals to come to the aid of SCAD patients, so raising awareness in this area is important to ensure they ‘think SCAD’.
Trustee Karen Rockell takes every opportunity to educate people about SCAD, so when an ambulance was called to help her cousin after a bad fall in Oxford while Karen was visiting last September, she wasted no time discussing SCAD with the ambulance crew.
After paramedic Danny Warr and his trainee had treated her cousin, Karen asked if they knew about SCAD. Briefly explaining what it is, Karen gave Danny her contact details and pointed him to the Beat SCAD website for more information.
Fast forward to early 2019 and Emma Roberts from South Central Ambulance Service contacted Karen, having been told about SCAD by Danny. She invited Karen to give a talk about SCAD to 12 paramedics and trainees at the North Oxfordshire Station at Adderbury on 20 February.
Her talk included information about the mechanics and symptoms of SCAD, as well as treatment options. She also told some patient stories to highlight how SCAD affects young, fit people. This was followed by a very lively discussion covering many subjects including genetics, the SCAD research, recurrent SCADs and how paramedics can help SCAD patients by being aware of the symptoms in those who do not have the usual risk factors
Karen said: “Educating two paramedics in September was good, but I was so pleased Danny discussed SCAD with Emma, and that they were so proactive in wanting to learn about the condition.”
Danny told us: “The team really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. We will spread the word.”
Pictured are the group of paramedics with Karen.
