Two South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) paramedics have joined the aid effort set up to help the victims of the Nepal earthquake.
Thanet-based Critical Care Paramedics (CCPs) Adam Watts and Jo Griggs are already in Nepal as part of the £5 million support package announced this week by the Government.
The response is providing trauma medics, heavy lifting equipment to move aid and supplies and humanitarian experts to help to co-ordinate rescue efforts.
The two CCPs, who are likely to be in Nepal for up to three weeks, will use their advanced trauma skills to help the victims and are part of a multi-agency voluntary team of experts including firefighters, search and rescue specialists and other medics.
With latest estimates of 5,000 people killed and tens of thousands more injured, people in the affected areas are in real need of the specialist care that CCPs can provide.
Over and above their existing paramedic skills, CCPs receive additional education and training to help them provide specialist care to patients suffering from critical illness or injury.
Clinical Services Manager for Thanet, Andy Burton said:
“The Trust is eager to support the rescue efforts in Nepal and CCPs like Adam and Jo are ideally placed to provide clinical care to the most seriously injured. We are very proud of their willingness in volunteering to provide support in such a challenging environment.”