Dr. Peter Hughes recently appeared on BBC Radio Leicester with Ady Dayman to discuss the vital work of EMICS. You can listen to the interview here (starting at 50 minutes 50 seconds). 

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Dr. Peter Hughes, a Specialist Registrar in Anaesthesia based in Leicester, goes beyond his hospital duties by volunteering with EMICS (East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme). EMICS sends doctors like Dr. Hughes to respond to 999 calls, delivering life-saving treatment before patients reach hospital.  

Unlike many doctors who focus solely on one area of medicine, Dr. Hughes broadens his impact by responding to urgent 999 calls during his time off, otherwise known as ‘pre-hospital care.’  

“I receive a call from ambulance control, often with minimal details, but knowing that the situation is likely to be severe, as EMICS is only called to life-threatening emergencies where there is potential for someone to lose a life,” Dr. Hughes explains. 

“Seconds or minutes can be critical,” he said, explaining that early intervention can mean the difference between life and death. 

For Dr. Hughes, volunteering with EMICS is a way to use his expertise for the benefit of the local community. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know you’ve made a difference,” he shares. 

Recently, Dr. Hughes was the first on the scene of a recent large-scale traffic accident involving a bus carrying schoolchildren. His primary role involved scene management, ensuring efficient coordination among multiple agencies, including ambulance services, police, and fire crews. With his advanced training, he assessed injuries, triaged patients, and developed a plan for hospital transport. These critical decisions were essential to managing a complex situation effectively. 

EMICS responds to over 125 critical incidents every month, providing a vital service that bridges the gap between emergency scenes and hospitals. Despite the clear public need, EMICS operates without government or NHS funding. Instead, it relies on donations and the dedication of its 40 volunteers like Dr. Hughes to provide its services. 

Volunteering with EMICS offers Dr. Hughes one of the few opportunities where he can truly make an immediate impact. “It’s one of the few times you can genuinely save a life,” he said. “You’re bringing hospital-level expertise directly to the scene, and that can make all the difference.” 

Dr. Hughes encourages others to support EMICS and learn more about its mission. “Most people don’t realise what we do until they see us at an incident,” he said.