2 days ago
Glasgow students visit Scottish Ambulance Service's ScotSTAR
The 13 students from Hollybrook Academy, which supports young individuals with additional learning needs, were given a hands-on learning experience as part of the Young Minds Save Lives Programme.
Mariam Rahman, an S5 student at Hollybrook Academy, said: "I've had the best day, ever.
(Image: Supplied) "I really liked seeing the aircraft and hearing from staff about the jobs they do.
"Looking in the back of the ambulance was fun and I loved trying on the helmet that the paramedics wear when they're in the air.
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"I can't wait to go back to my family and tell them all about it."
At the base located at Glasgow Airport, home to the air ambulance team, the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service, and neonatal and paediatric teams, the students received a comprehensive overview of the service.
They learned about the roles of the paramedics, nurses, advanced practitioners, doctors, and pilots who provide specialist care to critically ill patients across Scotland.
(Image: Supplied) The students were also addressed by air ambulance paramedic John Prichard, who detailed his role and the specialist equipment used daily.
His demonstration included the communication methods used while airborne, the necessary flight operation safety gear, and the medical bags carried on each mission.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of the base, including a look at specialised equipment used for transporting critically ill babies and children, a visit to the GAMA Aviation workshop where aircraft maintenance takes place, and an opportunity for the students to explore an ambulance designed for neonatal and paediatric transfers.
Mr Prichard said: "It was an absolute pleasure to speak to the young people today about my role as an air ambulance paramedic, to show them round the base and to also answer the many interesting questions they had.
'It's important that all young people have the chance to see what kind of opportunities there are for volunteering and future careers in healthcare.
"Hopefully, I've inspired some of them today to consider these roles going forward."
