Casualty

UPDATED 10/04/08:: You've been involved in a major car accident. The emergency services have been called and the Fire and Ambulance service arrive. The paramedics work quickly, using their expertise to keep you alive. But they need a doctor on the scene to put you under an anaesthetic. Would you..

a) Expect a doctor employed by the NHS to get there as soon as possible?

Or

b) Hope a volunteer doctor can be found, who can get there in time, with the right kit?

If you live outside of London, it's b.

We know this thanks to an email from Phil Hyde. He is a doctor and is concerned that lives are being lost because, outside London, the NHS chiefly relies on volunteers like him - being available and more often than not, he's not.

His concerns are shared by others and have been highlighted by earlier reports - one published last year - and another published fifteen years ago. One of those leading the campaign for a change in the current situation is Dr.Peter Holden, you might remember some of his work in the wake of the 7/7 bombings in London ( as reported here and here)

You can hear the interview Chris did with Peter Holden, in which he sets out his concerns, in the player below:

On Saturday we'll hear from the Department of Health. In the meantime our BBC colleagues in Southampton have also recently looked at this, but it's not been reported nationally. Shocked? Surprised? Expect more here soon. But please do let us know, if you'd like to know more, particularly if you are a doctor or have a story to tell.

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