As part of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s commitment to continuous improvement, the service has appointed Dr Adam Low and Dr Ryan O’Leary and reappointed Dr Malcolm Russell MBE as governance leads of the pre-hospital emergency medical service.

Governance leads are selected every two years, and their responsibilities include the provision of clinical and management support to the critical care paramedic and medic-led services, ensuring excellent standards in clinical practice, staff development, education and clinical governance.

Each lead will take on projects and additional responsibilities to further develop Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s pre-hospital care provision, including mentoring, facilitating case reviews, providing senior on call support to pre-hospital colleagues and supporting the appointment of new team members. In addition, they will support with the delivery of the clinical training suite and simulation room at the charity’s new airbase and charity headquarters, which will commence build work this spring in Shropshire.

Dr Malcolm Russell MBE, medical director of the UK’s International Search and Rescue team, UK’s representative to the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group Medical Working Group, said: “I’ve been one of the clinical governance leads for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity for nearly four years now. It’s a fantastic organisation and we are privileged to be able to provide life-changing care to our patients. We can always improve though, so I felt compelled to re-apply for the position again and feel greatly honoured that I’ve been awarded one of the new posts.”

Dr Adam Low, consultant anaesthetist at University Hospital Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth, said: “I am looking forward to joining Mark, Malcolm and Ryan as one of the governance leads for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and MERIT. The role will include leading on well-established governance streams such as organising our monthly governance and educational meetings, undertaking peer review and appraisal of colleagues to support them achieve their pre-hospital aspirations and develop new and exciting clinical and educational initiatives. I look forward to a busy and undoubtedly productive two years.”

Dr Ryan O’Leary, intensive care medicine consultant and anaesthetist at Hereford County Hospital, said: “I am delighted to be appointed as a governance lead for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. This is a new role for me, and I look forward to playing my part in allowing our exceptionally talented team to grow and reach their full potential.”

Hanna Sebright, chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, added: “The collective experience and knowledge of the governance leads puts our organisation in a very strong position. Their support will ensure we remain at the forefront of emergency pre-hospital patient care, offering the very best treatment to patients in critical need of advanced clinical care.”