This throwback TMT is a segment from our podcast interviewing the head of the national tracheostomy safety project Dr Brendan Mcgrath. In this segment he describes how to effectively oxygenate and ventilate patients with tracheostomies. Find the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6hbE3h2DPxJb6nTHqfbXdw?si=408c7f2439954c4c and the article at www.generalbroadcast.org This Podcast is supported by GEEKY MEDICS. Check out their range of online revision material at www.geekymedics.com...
Aug 19, 2025•11 min
This is the second in our 2 part podcast looking at Newborn Life support. In the second episode we look at a real time run through of the NLS algorithm applying the theory from the first part as well as giving handy tips to make these situations easier to manage. Make sure you've listened to the first episode where we talk about the differences in anatomy and physiology of the newborn baby as well as the changes involved in transition after birth, why newborns may struggle and go into cardiovasc...
Jul 16, 2025•35 min
This is the first of our 2 part podcast looking at Newborn Life support. We talk about the differences in anatomy and physiology of the newborn baby as well as the changes involved in transition after birth, why newborns may struggle and go into cardiovascular collapse and the theory of NLS. In the second episode we look at a real time run through of the NLS algorithm applying the theory from the first part as well as giving handy tips to make these situations easier to manage.Check out our othe...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr
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Jun 10, 2025•2 min
Douglas Anthony Chamberlain, CBE, OStJ, KSG was a British cardiologist who founded the first paramedics in the United Kingdom which at the time was the paramedic unit in Europe, revolutionising pre-hospital care. We wanted to take a moment to reflect on the story of the man who founded the profession and career that we love. His story is written and narrated by Nat Le Blanq a paramedic and visiting fellow at Bournemouth University.
Jun 06, 2025•5 min
This is a throwback episode looking at a key learning point from Episode 10 - Lower back pain. Check out the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NT6CoVEDEVkGkhdy16RpF?si=2c72965d65b54529 Find the article here: https://www.generalbroadcast.org.uk/blog/atraumatic-lower-back-pain This Podcast is supported by GEEKY MEDICS. Check out their range of online revision material at www.geekymedics.com . Use code: ---> PARAMEDUCATE24 <--- at check out for 10% off select courses. Like ...
Apr 05, 2025•6 min
In this months episode, we explore one of the most challenging aspects of paramedic practice — discontinuing resuscitation and how to deliver that news with compassion and clarity. Breaking bad news following a cardiac arrest is a crucial skill, yet often done poorly. We discuss who should take the lead, how to manage dynamic prehospital environments, and how to tell families their loved one has died after a cardiac arrest. From delivering effective warning shots to preparing families for what t...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 19 min
On the back of our last episode looking at fitness to practice and keeping ourselves safe, we thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect on the way we write medical notes and how its changed over our time as paramedics. It's also a vital part in the transition and onwards of care patients. Check out our other episodes at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk This Podcast is supported by GEEKY MEDICS. Check out their range of online revision material at www.geekymedics.com. Use code: ---> PARAMED...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min
This month we were lucky enough to sit down with Andrea James, a lawyer who specialises in defending paramedics in HCPC fitness to practice hearings. We spoke to Andrea about what is involved with fitness to practice hearings and how we can protect ourselves with quality documentation. She hands out her tips on what makes practice easy and difficult to defend. Check out our other episodes at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk This Podcast is supported by GEEKY MEDICS. Check out their range of online re...
Dec 07, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Cauda Equina is one of the most litigious areas in emergency medical practice, as if it's missed, it can have devastating effects for patients. Cauda Equina (CES) was mentioned in a recent update to JRCALC as a condition with specific prehospital actions that all paramedics in the UK must be aware of. So we thought it would be a good opportunity to do some revision. Want a slightly more in-depth dive into lower back pain? Check out episode 10 https://www.generalbroadcast.org.uk/blog/atraumatic-l...
Nov 25, 2024•8 min
Burns represent a special form of severe trauma which can negatively affect nearly every organ system. Despite huge advances in the care of these patients, severe burns are still associated with high morbidity and mortality long term….. and due to long hospitalization, rehabilitation, and extensive scar treatment, severe burn injuries rank among the most expensive traumatic injuries with regard associated health care costs. They are also conditions where the early and effective emergency care we...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Autonomic dysreflexia is listed in JRCALC as a condition with specific prehospital treatments, meaning it is something that emergency clinicians and ambulance crews need to be aware of. This month we take a look at what is happening with this unposed sympathetic activity, how spinal injury patients develop autonomic dysreflexia and what we can do to lower bloodpressure. Find the references and our other podcasts at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk This Podcast is supported by GEEKY MEDICS. Check out ...
Oct 21, 2024•15 min
Renal colic is one of those conditions, that if you've had it you'll never forget it, and if you've seen it, you'll probably be able to recognise it the next time you come across it. However, it isn't without risks. Renal colic has several mimics which are life threatening emergencies, indeed the disease itself can have a wide spectrum of complications. This month we look at the diagnosis and assessment of nephrolithiasis, the management and who to refer patients to. Find the article and referen...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Along with our regular content, we will be releasing a short, less than 10 minute episode on a variety of topics. Perfect for a short commute to work, walk between lecture halls or frantic revision enroute to a call. This month we look at Paracetamol Overdose, what happens, why it's so toxic and what treatment involves. Find the references and our podcasts at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk This Podcast is supported by Geeky Medics. Check out their range of online revision material at www.geekymedic...
Sep 06, 2024•10 min
This month we look at managing hypoglycaemia, the perfect episode to listen to if you're just starting your educational journey as a student paramedic! But don't think this is only for newbies, theres loads of information in there for experienced medical students and qualified emergency practitioners alike. Learn about the physiology of Diabetes mellitus, how drugs like glucagon work as well as when we might need to consider refering a patient to the DVLA because of their hypo's. Find the articl...
Aug 24, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Along with our regular content, we will be releasing a short, less than 10 minute episode on a variety of topics. Perfect for a short commute to work, walk between lecture halls or frantic revision enroute to a call. This month we look at Arterial torniquets, and how can perfect our use of them. Find the references and our podcasts at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk Like the podcast? help keep it free and open access, support us at www.ko-fi.com/generalbroadcast
Aug 02, 2024•11 min
This month we take a look at nitrate poisoning. It may not be the most common emergency case to present to prehospital clinicians, but cases of it do appear to be on the rise. So join us as we talk about methaemaglobinemia, safety on scene and protecting rescuers and the assessment and care of these patients. Find the article and references at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk
Jul 21, 2024•37 min
In this second part looking at care of patients who have gained a return of Spontaneous Circulation, we discuss; reassessment and changing airway needs, how we can optimise ventilation for these patients. We look at the latest evidence in hyperoxia and temperature management as well as discussing inotropes, post ROSC adrenaline and blood pressure control. Find previous episodes and the references used to make this episode on www.generalbroadcast.org.uk
Jun 02, 2024•54 min
Cardiac arrest is a situation that as paramedics and ambulance staff we are well prepared for. However, training can sometimes be limited around return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). What is post ROSC syndrome? How much adrenaline should we give to support blood pressure? and what is the latest evidence around theraputic hypothermia? This month we're looking at the phase after cardiac arrest, and how we as paramedics and emergency clinicians should be managing it. Find the article and our ot...
Feb 27, 2024•38 min
Impact brain apnoea is the cessation or disruption of the inate breathing mechanism following a blow to the head. Its possible for this to result in the death of patients without any visible damage to the brain or surrounding blood vessels. This month we discuss this, the development of a hypoxic brain injury, the resultant catecholamine release or catacholamine "storm" and what ambulance crews and emergency clinicians can do to help treat these patients. find the article and other podcasts at h...
Jan 14, 2024•33 min
Prehospital Traumatic Cardiac Arrest (TCA) is a rare and particularly stressful presentation to paramedics and emergency clinicians. We should be comfortable with the different algorithm rescusers should use in resuscitation and understand the reasonings for modifications in these low output states in trauma. So, why dont we do chest compressions in a traumatic cardiac arrest? Should TCA's be given adrenaline and what does HOTT Stand for? We've got the answers to all this and more. Find referenc...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Pulmonary Embolism is a common emergency presentation to paramedics and emergency medicine clinicians. We discuss why PEs cause right ventricular strain, the types of PE from massive, to submassive and subsegmental, how to work up and diagnose pulmonary embolism, how do D-Dimers work? and what are the high risk pulmonary embolism criteria. Find the references and other episodes at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk Dont forget to follow or subscribe to the podcast for free medical education and CPD.
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 7 min
All diving represents a hazard, as humans we're not designed to live under water. The deeper divers go and the longer they dive for, the greater the potential risks. Although the bends or decompression sickness, arterial gas embolisims and other diving related emergencies arent the most common presentation to emergency care clinicians. We thought it would be good to revise this medical presenation. In partnership with our colleagues at HM Coastguard we've developed this CPD podcast. We talk to a...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 25 min
We all make mistakes, its a natural part of the course of being human. What matters is that we're honest about these, learn from them and feel safe in a just culture where the focus will be on learning, rather than on puishment. We spoke with consultant paramedic Andy Collen, author of the fantastic book "Decision making in paramedic practice" and medicines and prescribing project lead for the college of paramedics. In this podcast we discussed making mistakes, blame culture, accountability, and...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 1 min
Patient safety should be the key aim at the heart of any healthcare system, including the NHS. Yet we know that every single day, patients come to avoidable harm as a result of errors and mistakes. Human Factors and CRM have become increasingly common schools of thought after the tragic Elaine Bromley case. This month we look at the Human Factors at play in a pre-hospital RTC case study and consider how ambulance clinicians and first responders might be affected by these. We discuss Startle and ...
Jul 15, 2023•1 hr
Heroin overdose or other opiate poisoning is an emergency that most paramedics and ambulance staff will be familiar with. However, there are some elements that can cause uncertainty for responders. What comes first CPR or naloxone? What are the signs of an opioid emergency? How much naloxone do you give to someone suffering from opioid toxicity? This month we look at all that and more! Find the article and our other episodes at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk
May 17, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Content Warning This podcast features discussion of suicide and hanging. Hanging is one of the most common methods of suicide in the western world. Ambualnce crew are likely to come across these cases in the course of their work and so it is important that we understand the pathophysiology and managment of them. This month we discuss how hanging causes cardiac arrest, clarrify commonly used terms, discuss the managment as well as emotional support for family and staff involved in these cases. Ma...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Ankle injuries present to ambulance staff across a wide spectrum, from the minor soft tissue injury that can be discharged on scene, to the fracture dislocation. We need to be confident in assessing and managing the full spectrum of these injuries, This month we talk about manipulating fractures, prophylactic antibiotics, as well as how to decide which injuries need an x-ray and what advice to give those patients that don't. | Find the references that we used at www.generalbroadcast.org.uk. Plea...
Mar 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Asthma is the most common lung pathology in the UK. Managing exacerbations of the disease is something paramedics and emergency teams should be well versed in. In this months episode we review the pathophysiology, look at the different severities of exacerbation that may present to ambulance crews, discuss what types of patient are suitable for discharge as well as looking at the treatments we can offer from the mild asthma attack to the life threatening.
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Its a topic that's been in the news a lot recently. This year is seeing a particularly high number of Strep A infections in the UK, this naturally translates to a higher number of complications and cases of invasive group A strep. Thats why this month we're taking a deep dive into all of it, we'll cover how to recognise strep throat and scarlet fever, as well as what we need to do if we suspect our patients have it. Find the write up, further reading and other episodes at www.generalbroadcast.or...
Jan 10, 2023•37 min
