Paramedic helps deliver baby by phone after course
South Western Ambulance ServiceA paramedic who learned life-saving newborn delivery skills on a pioneering training course helped successfully deliver a baby over the phone later that day.
Ollie Zorab guided another paramedic through an out-of-hospital delivery hours after he had completed the training at the Great Western Hospital (GWH) in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Zorab said the most important thing he took away from the out-of-hospital delivery course was to "try and keep a newborn baby warm" moments after birth.
The training - which has been rolled out nationally - was designed by GWH neonatal consultant Sarah Bates who said it was to help babies who "unexpectedly need resuscitation" or were not planned to be born at home.
The training programme has been designed to equip paramedics, community midwives and other healthcare professionals with the skills and confidence required for newborns during home births, in ambulances and community environments.
Zorab, who is a parent himself, said part of his role was trying to make sure new parents were "continuing to be excited", rather than "being worried by whether or not their new baby is going to become seriously poorly".
'Warming mattresses and little hats'
With more women choosing to birth at home, healthcare professionals face unique challenges including managing newborn temperature, stabilisation and resuscitation in environments with limited equipment and resources.
Zorab said: "When we're on scene we've got special warming mattresses, little hats, and good old-fashioned heating to try and keep these small people warm so they cannot become sick as they make their way to hospital after birth."
GWHThe Resuscitation Council UK course originated in Swindon, where clinicians identified a gap in training for practitioners attending births outside of hospital.
Bates said: "It is exciting to see a programme that started here in Swindon become a nationally recognised course."
GWHFollow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
