Dr Stephen Hearns MB ChB FRCEM FRCS FRCP FRGS DIMC DRTM
Stephen is a Consultant with Scotland’s Emergency Medical Retrieval Service. This aeromedical retrieval service delivers pre-hospital critical care for major trauma patients, rural hospital secondary retrievals and major incident responses. Inspired by experience gained working on London’s air ambulance and in Queensland Australia, Stephen led the establishment of this team from a small voluntary service in 2004 to what is now a fully government funded aeromedical retrieval organisation with an international reputation.
Stephen has published a number of papers and book chapters relating to emergency medicine and pre-hospital care. He also led the team establishing the Diploma in retrieval and transfer medicine for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He developed and contributes to the organisation of the annual UK retrieval conference. Stephen is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the University of Glasgow.
He has been an active voluntary member of Arrochar mountain rescue team for 20 years and holds the Mountain Leader Award. Stephen acted as medical officer on seven international expeditions in mountain, desert, jungle and arctic environments before establishing the first expedition medicine course in the UK.
Professor Patrick Pollock BVMS, PhD, CertES(Soft Tissue), DipECVS, FHEA, FRCVS
Patrick is Professor of Veterinary Surgery and Remote and Rural Medicine at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh and the Director of the Glasgow Equine Hospital and Practice. Patrick has worked in general and specialist veterinary practice for 25 years and is a specialist in large animal surgery with an interest in trauma, wound healing and supporting vets and animal owners in resource limited settings across the globe. A Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contribution to clinical practice, Patrick is involved in projects with some of the world's 150 million working horses, donkeys and mules, including setting up training programs for vets and animal owners, and has developed networks for veterinary practitioners in remote rural and resource limited settings including telemedicine and in field support from the Scottish Highlands and Islands to The Gambia. Patrick is undertaking a master’s program in Disaster Medicine and Emergency Management and is collaborating with the Worldwide Veterinary Service to develop guidelines to support the animals of displaced people.
Working with the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Association (BARTA), The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the veterinary profession, Patrick introduced training for incidents involving animals, animal rescue, and for supporting animals in disasters. In addition, he has worked to introduce training for first responders and vets in the high stake’s environments of equine competitive events.
Patrick is an international speaker and researcher and along with his partner Kristina introduced transformative training for veterinary undergraduates in resilience, performance, team dynamics and leadership.
Patrick is inspired by developing partnerships and collaboration between those working in all types of high stakes environments and improving the health and wellbeing of people and animals.
A keen runner, kayaker and piper, Patrick lives with his partner Kristina, and three children in west central Scotland
Dr med. Nadja Spitznagel
With a solid foundation as a registered nurse and emergency physician , Dr. Spitznagel embarked on a journey to expand her knowledge and skills. She pursued her specialisation in internal medicine, earning the designation of a specialist in internal intensive care. Her commitment to excellence led her to pursue a second specialisation in anaesthesiology, where she is currently in training.
Her invaluable contributions as a critical care physician and years of service as a dedicated emergency physician have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in treating critically ill patients and managing emergency situations.
Recognised for her passion for teaching, Dr. Spitznagel actively engages in educational endeavours. She has served as a lecturer, sharing her extensive knowledge and expertise with medical students. Her dedication to teaching extends beyond the classroom, as she consistently contributes to the advancement of medical education through the development of training programmes.
Dr. Nadja Spitznagel is an active member of various professional organisations, including
German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DIVI)
German Society of Internal Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DGINA),
German Medical Association (BDÄ), and
German Anesthesia Society (BDA).
Jonny Gallier
Jonny has a Paramedic career background and he currently works as an Advanced Practitioner in Critical Care (APCC) for the Scottish Ambulance Service. The APCCs frequently lead multi-professional, prehospital flash teams in the assessment, treatment and transportation of the critically unwell or injured. Incidents attended are often high-pressured and optimising the team's performance under pressure is vital for positive outcomes.
Jonny has 5 years of aeromedical retrieval experience previously working as an Advanced Retrieval Practitioner for the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service. The service delivers Consultant led critical care in the prehospital environment, on secondary retrievals from rural hospitals and at Major Incidents. Jonny was lead author of the services pocketbook which contains numerous cognitive aids including action cards, checklists and quick reference guides.
Dr Alex Arthur
Alex is a consultant anaesthetist at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and locum consultant in prehopsital and retrieval medicine with the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service.
He graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2010 before completing his Anaesthetic training in the West of Scotland including fellowships in prehospital and retrieval medicine with the EMRS in Scotland, MedSTAR in South Australia and advanced airway management at the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Glasgow.
Alex has an interest in major truama, difficult airway mangement and human factors. He is regularly involved in teaching on a variety of undergradute and postgradutate courses. He is an examiner for the Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (RCSEd).
Oustide of work Alex is generally kept busy with his young family but enjoys rock climbing and skiing whenever he gets the chance.
Benjamin Gordon
Benjamin is an anaesthesiologist with a specialisation in emergency medicine. After graduatin from the University of Würzburg in 2012 he completed his anaesthesiology specialisation at hs almer mater. His work includes regular rotations in the prehospital emergency and interhospital transfer service as well as the regional rescue helicopter. He enjoys teaching new residents and students about the communication and stress management aspects of handling emergency situations as well as everyday anaesthesia.
In his spare time he rides his numerous bikes and helps building and maintaining the local mountainbike trail network.
