Ruth Adamek

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Pre-hospital emergency care, Provisional Member of Expert Witness Institute (EWI)

Specialisms

Registered Paramedic experienced in Call Centre clinical validation and frontline ambulances.

Introduction

I joined the ambulance service as an emergency medical technician in 2016 following 3 years as a Sports Therapist where I developed an interest in injury management. Through working frontline with the ambulance service, I became competent in managing a broad spectrum of injuries and illnesses. Following completion of the initial technician course I then continued working frontline alongside training as a student paramedic, completing this course in 2018 to become a registered paramedic. I then completed further study in 2020 to achieve a BSc in Pre Hospital Emergency Care.

In August 2021 I had the opportunity to move to the Emergency Operation Control centre to work in a Band 7 role of Validation Paramedic in the brand-new department of Clinical Validation Team (CVT). Initially a temporary role to ease pressures on frontline staff following a huge increase in demand following Covid, this became permanent when it became apparent that demand would not return to pre-Covid levels and has now been adopted nationwide by all UK ambulance services, known also as Clinical Assessment Team (CAT) or Clinical Support Desk (CSD). This role involves a clinical telephone assessment of all category 3 and 4 calls, and a large proportion of category 2 calls in order to ascertain the most appropriate pathway for these patients, often resulting in an ambulance not being required to attend. I also began clinical auditing in 2023, therefore I am up to date on current policies and procedures within the team as a requirement of this role. Through this role I have also provided clinical assessment calls for the 111 service as a clinical advisor. Another role of the clinical validation team is providing clinical support to frontline crews as they request it via telephone, therefore I am constantly up to date on policy and procedure for patient facing work and participate in my employer’s annual mandatory clinical updates and training. I also undertake frontline shifts on a bank rotation as additional hours to my current role.

I feel extremely confident in being able to provide witness testimony for clinical telephone triage for both the 999 and 111 services, as well as appropriateness of ambulance dispositions and dispatch procedures such as delays or resourcing. I can comment on all scenarios involving frontline ambulance work, from the initial call to the 999 service, further clinical calls, treatment provided by the ambulance crew, and the decisions regarding alternative pathways/hospital conveyance/discharging without further referral. Due to the nature of paramedicine, there are many clinical areas I have knowledge in, including Advanced Life Support, Major Trauma, Emergency Medicine, Minor Injury and Illness, pre hospital management of labour, paediatric care and medicines management.

I accept instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors and insurers. I have undergone formal training in the medico-legal process and am fully aware of my responsibilities under Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pertaining to expert witnesses.