Release Date :  Tuesday 9 February 2010

Two paramedics from the Scottish Ambulance Service have won an award from Scottish Health Innovations Ltd for the best innovation originating from NHS Scotland.

Keith Colver and David Fitzpatrick from the Scottish Ambulance Service were part of a team from the Scottish Ambulance Service that worked in conjunction with SHIL and Lightweight Medical to produce an innovative solution to restraining critically ill children in ambulances.  The Ambulance Child Restraint® (ACR) is the only paediatric restraint capable of fitting all children less than 45 kg which is fully crash tested to CEN compliance levels.

The award was presented at a ceremony in Edinburgh recently in front of more than 750 representatives from the life sciences community in Scotland and worldwide.

Sandy Allan, chief executive officer of Scottish Health Innovations Ltd, said: “There is no one better placed to devise new and innovative ways to improve patient care than those who deliver it.  This innovation from the Scottish Ambulance service will provide a much needed solution to a problem experienced by ambulance services across the UK.
 
“This Award is a real chance for us to recognise and reward those at the frontline of the NHS who think innovatively and are constantly looking to improve patient care.”