Behind the scenes: Steve Chivers, Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer

This week in our ‘behind the scenes’ hot seat is Steve Chivers, who is a Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer (HALO), seconded to Broomfield Hospital. Steve has worked for the ambulance service for 31 years.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I joined the Essex ambulance service in February 1985 and qualified as a paramedic in 1992, mainly based in West Essex working on RRVs. During my career, I have been involved with many different projects. These include Special Services, a division of the Essex ambulance service which covered private events. During my two years, we covered all events at the London Arena which included ice hockey, The Brit awards, WWF Wrestling and all events at Santa Pod raceway.

I was team leader for the enhanced clinical triage desk in Chelmsford EOC and involved in the setting up and training of the same in Bedford EOC.  I have undertaken a number of secondments in West Essex as DLO. For the last couple of years, I have been seconded as a HALO, first at Princess Alexandra hospital and currently at Broomfield hospital. I also work as a clinician on the intelligence conveyance desk in the RCC Chelmsford.

What do you do as part of your job role?

As HALO, I deal with hospital delays liaising between the ambulance service and the hospital management, to allow quick and safe handovers of patients and to release crews promptly for outstanding calls. I also undertake staff welfare checks and do my best to make sure crews are not delayed past there finish time, as well as anything else that helps with the smooth running of ED.

If you had the power, what one change would you make to the Trust?

 I would make the HALO role a permanent role at every acute hospital, as I believe it is essential to improving crew availability.

What made you want to work for the ambulance service?

My father was in the Essex Ambulance service from 1957 for 35 years.  I grew up around the job, so it was a natural carer choice for me.

Super hero power – If you had one, what would it be?

To control time and be able to extended the good parts of life and fast forward the bad parts.

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Published 4th April, 2016