A healthcare lecturer from the University of Bedfordshire has been appointed chair of a national organisation that champions the development of pre-hospital emergency care.
Tony Kemp MBE, Director of Post Qualifying Healthcare Education and Principal Lecturer in Medical Education and Advanced Healthcare Practice, was named chair of the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) at its annual conference.
BASICS was set up in 1977 to co-ordinate the efforts of doctors who were providing medical support to the ambulance services of the UK and now encompasses many other providers including nurses, paramedics and a wide range of others from the civilian and military worlds including those working in such areas as mountain rescue and the voluntary first aid organisations. It aims to strengthen and develop co-operation between all services that deal with emergencies on any scale.
Kemp has been an active trustee of BASICS for the past 15 years and fulfilled a number of roles, including Honorary Secretary and Vice Chairman. He was appointed MBE in the 2014 New Year’s honours list for his services to pre-hospital care.
'I am extremely honoured to have been elected as the Association’s chairman,' he said. 'As their first non-medical chair, this is not simply a matter of overturning tradition. Rather it is a considered decision that demonstrates to the wider professional community that BASICS is not only committed to promoting the full remit of pre-hospital immediate care but also has no artificial boundaries based on professional silos.'
