New approach by South East Coast Ambulance Service to treat patients with spinal injuries

South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is the first of its kind in the country to try a new approach to treating patients with spinal injuries.

The service, which operates across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, will now stop using neck braces or collars after growing evidence suggests they could cause further harm, while providing little or no benefit.

Instead, paramedics will use manual stabilisation followed by head blocks and tape.

The new approach is only used in three other countries - Australia, Norway and Denmark.

Paramedics will also decide whether to use a stretcher depending on the type of patient they are treating, as for pregnant women, young children and the elderly, it is not beneficial.

The method will soon be rolled out nationally by the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee.

The changes follow a working group at SECAmb which has re-examined the Trust's approach to spinal care to ensure the guidelines are fit for modern practices.

Alan added: "The benefits include there being a reduced chance of a spinal injury being worsened, improved identification and care of spinal injury in older, frail and vulnerable patients and a more efficient use of resources, freeing up crews to respond to other 999 calls."