Cosmo and Andrew return to GWAAC!

We are pleased to have recently appointed two new Critical Care Doctors who you may remember from a few years ago… Cosmo and Andrew!

Both Cosmo and Andrew began their Helicopter Emergency Medicine Service (HEMS) careers with us as Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) trainees. Since then they have both gained more experience across the UK.

We are delighted to welcome them back to GWAAC’s Critical Care Team as our new Critical Care Doctors. Read on to find out more about their experience and why they wanted to come back to work for GWAAC.

Dr Cosmo Scurr

Could you tell us about your medical experience/training and journey to becoming a Critical Care Doctor?

 I started my HEMS career as a national PHEM trainee at GWAAC in 2016. I stayed for over a year learning a huge amount, and then moved back to London to finish my anaesthesia training. I then went on to get experience in other regions with some other HEMS services, working for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, London’s Air Ambulance, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

What brought you back to GWAAC?

I came back as I had always loved the region and had enjoyed the great teamworking between GWAAC and SWASFT. I wanted to bring back some of the things I had learnt from other regions and help the organisation that I had started my HEMS career with.

What do you most enjoy about the role?

Being able to be part of a really tight team, that is there to support the ambulance service in treating some of the most critically unwell patients in the region.

A random fact about yourself?

I taught myself to speak Norwegian by watching DVDs with the subtitles on!

Dr Andrew Holdstock

Could you tell us about your medical experience/training and journey to becoming a Critical Care Doctor?

I am currently an A and E Consultant at Airedale General Hospital in the Yorkshire Dales. As part of my registrar training I undertook and completed my PHEM training with GWAAC in 2017/2018 and have continued to work in Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine in Yorkshire since then.

What brought you back to GWAAC?

 I have always had very fond memories of my time with the charity and working as a PHEM trainee was one of the most enjoyable experiences in my training. As a qualified Emergency Medicine and Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine Consultant I was keen to join one of the best HEMS teams in the country to continue my practice. Having worked with GWAAC previously and loved being part of the team I was keen to return having completed my training.

What do you most enjoy about the role?

 Being at the cutting edge of pre-hospital care combined with the excellent comradeship and teamwork which allows us to deliver amazing care. I enjoy training and working together on base to keep skills and knowledge up to date.

A random fact about yourself?

I cook a lot and have previously had a recipe for Macaroni cheese on the back of the Sainsbury’s own macaroni packet for many years. I also enjoy walking, spending time in the Lake District, cooking (I often cook on base for the team).