Rapid Responses to:
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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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The London Bombings - Preparing ourselves for the future
- James Galea (18 July 2005)
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unity is strength
- Dr Krishna Raman (19 July 2005)
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How come no Anaesthetists present?
- Chima.A. Oti (21 July 2005)
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New Jobs
- Sarah W Holton (22 July 2005)
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Re: How come no Anaesthetists present?
- Alex WY Chen (22 July 2005)
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Memorial Service for the 7th July Victims
- Mark W Savage (24 July 2005)
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Re: Memorial Service for the 7th July Victims
- Daniel J Albert (25 July 2005)
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James Galea, Honorary Research Associate University of Birmingham B15 2TT
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It was quite interesting to read the various articles on this tragic event for which we were “all prepared”. Various political figures have been quoted as saying that Britain was prepared for such eventualities through its struggle in Ireland, with the 1974 Birmingham bombing used as the case-in-point example. What we tend to forget, in our ignorance and pride, is the fact that this new threat is somewhat larger, more factual and will be unfortunately more likely to recur. The London bombings brought to my mind a flashback of my experiences in the Middle East, particularly while working at the Assaf Harofeh Medical Centre in Zerifin, Israel, in my student years. I believe that what we can learn from such peoples and places is second to none. Their experience is mostly through day to day experience(1;2) not simulation and their learning is driven by need not media or political figures. And what about the social and humane aspect? Perhaps we could learn how they manage to work in multi-ethnic teams by putting their differences second to the medical and social needs of their patients. Perhaps we could start thinking about the psychological effect on both health caring staff and patients. Terrorist bombings challenges even the most experienced medical facilities(3). Clearly, international sharing of knowledge, information, and expertise on the medical management (and beyond) of the aftermath of such dreadied activities is pivotal in assisting us to mould an appropriately prepared NHS(4). Reference List (1) Kluger Y, Mayo A, Soffer D, Aladgem D, Halperin P. Functions and principles in the management of bombing mass casualty incidents: lessons learned at the Tel-Aviv Souraski Medical Center. Eur J Emerg Med 2004 Dec;11(6):329-34. (2) Rodoplu U, Arnold JL, Tokyay R, Ersoy G, Cetiner S, Yucel T. Mass-casualty terrorist bombings in Istanbul, Turkey, November 2003: report of the events and the prehospital emergency response. Prehospital Disaster Med 2004 Apr;19(2):133-45. (3) Almogy G, Belzberg H, Mintz Y, Pikarsky AK, Zamir G, Rivkind AI. Suicide bombing attacks: update and modifications to the protocol. Ann Surg 2004 Mar;239(3):295-303. (4) Schreiber S, Yoeli N, Paz G, Barbash GI, Varssano D, Fertel N, et al. Hospital preparedness for possible nonconventional casualties: an Israeli experience. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2004 Sep;26(5):359-66. Competing interests: None declared |
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Dr Krishna Raman, Physician chennai 600020, India
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How nice it is to read the contribution of so many medical and paramedical staff and whole lot of others to the situation of London bombing. It gladdens the heart to see so much unity at moments of such crises. My heartfelt condolences to those families who lost their loved ones and the medical profession must draw inspiration at the unconditional offering of help from so many quarters. One prays to God that such a thing never happens again in any part of the world. Dr Krishna Raman Chennai , India Competing interests: None declared |
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Chima.A. Oti, Anaesthetic SHO East Surrey Hospital,Redhill
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I read with great pride your letter describing events that went on in your hospital on the day of the London Bombings.I must say I have also felt proud to be a Healthcare professional and indeed a Londoner. I have however looked through you roll call of personnel who came out to help on the day.The list is quite long.Porters and GPs got a mention not to talk of non -clinical physicians.I have failed to spot any mention of Anaesthetists present and I wonder if there are none in your hospital of if they did not take part in events on the day.And what about those who would have needed emergency surgery? I happened to be on call at my hospital on the day and almost the whole department of Anaesthetics came down to offer help as we were put on Major incident alert.In the end we did not receive any patients but I must say I was proud of the enthusiasm showed by all healthcare workers in my trust. I dont know how other readers feel especially my fellow anaesthetists but I am sure a bit of clarification will be helpful. Many thanks. Competing interests: None declared |
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Sarah W Holton, Occupational Health SpR Guys & St Thomas's Hospital, London
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As a new SpR in one of the London hospitals put on "major incident stand by" last week I was acutely aware of my unfamiliarity with the layout of the building, where equiptment was and how this worked on the main hospital site. I was not finally involved in the hospitals fantastic response. However as August nears and hundreds of junior doctors across the country move jobs - we must all be aware of the major incident plans. We all receive inches of paperwork at the start new jobs and it is something usually ignored. That may not now be so wise.... Bombings on 7th July & two weeks later today 21st July. What would happen if there were major bombings in two more weeks. The 4th August, 24 hours after everyone rotates to new places and unfamiliar roles? Fresh new PRHOs in hospitals they barely know where the canteen is let alone what to do in major problem. It is just a plea to all - READ that PAPERWORK especially if you are in a big city hospital! Dr HOLTON Competing interests: None declared |
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Alex WY Chen, Cardiology SpR University College London Hospital, London
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Thank you for reading my article. The list of specialties I mentioned was not intended as a complete roll call of who was present. There are many specialties I did not list by name, which include anaesthetists. Other specialties include: palliative care doctors, oncologists, haematologists, microbiologists, genito-urinary medicine doctors, the list goes on. I did say that "every specialty in hospital medicine was there in force." Having said that, the original version of my article did mention anaesthetists by name, but this was edited out. I had not seen the final version prior to print, due to time constraints of going to press. Many anaesthetists were indeed present, and they worked as hard as every other healthcare professional present. Individual skills were used but individual identities and egos were laid down as everybody worked as one team. The important point is not who was present or absent, or who got a mention in my article. The take-home message is that in times of need, people pulled together to offer whatever help they could. I hope the terrorists realise that by doing what they did, they only united us more. Kind regards, Alex Chen. Competing interests: I am the author of the article commented on. |
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Mark W Savage, Consultant Physician North Manchester General Hospital. M8 5RB
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Sir, I was heartened that the doctors and staff of the BMA reacted with such profedsionalism and humanity on the 7th July 2005. Nevertheless, I was equally dismayed to see that the memorial service for the dead and injured was attended by religious leaders. Surely, with the benefit of history where religions of all types and flavours have been culpable in generating intra-religious and inter- religious murder and strife, including London on the 7th July, it would have been wiser to have a Secular remembrance service? The increasing religionisation of our society is a great danger to all of us; look at the experiences in Northern Ireland if the middle-east seems too far away. Religious leaders need less encouragement, not more. Polly Toynbee recently wrote an excellent article on the dangers we now face [1] and I commend it to all members. I feel that religion should be kept out of the BMA, especially at times like these. I am aware that I am a member of a minority, but a large one at that, and there are many like-thinking people, many of whom are MPs and major figures in our society and many of whom are members of the National Secular Society. Yours sincerely [1] http://politics.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/comment/0,,1534016,00.html Competing interests: The suthor is a member of the National Secular Society |
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Daniel J Albert, GP Leeds LS10 2PT
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Dr Savage (Rapid Responses) is concerned that religious leaders attended, and gave focus to the memorial service. As a member of the National Secular Society, he feels that it is Religion that has got us into much of the mess that we are in. He would like it excluded from the BMA. Surely, as doctors, it is our job to use our knowledge of human biology to show everyone that we are all Very Similar to one another. Members of all religions, including secularism, share nearly all the same DNA, physical charactaristics, mental functioning as well as hopes and fears. It is our job to ensure that No One is excluded. Competing interests: I am Jewish |
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