Our History

Before mobile phones, digital technology or paramedics, Dr Tim Gray MBE joined the medical practice in Oakham, Rutland — the smallest county in the UK. Expanding the ethos of treating patients in the community and in the local Cottage Hospital, Dr Gray made himself available on a voluntary basis to the Ambulance Service.

By 1984 several of his GP colleagues had joined him and The Rutland Accident Care Scheme (RACS) was launched — a charity providing doctors to work alongside the Ambulance Service treating seriously ill and injured patients both at the scene and en-route to hospital.

In 2004 the county Ambulance Services came together to form East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS). At the same time RACS amalgamated with Ilkeston BASICS, a similar Derbyshire scheme run by Dr Andrew Davies. The new region-wide scheme was renamed The East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS).

Forty years on from 1984, EMICS volunteer doctors and paramedics continue to bring the hospital to the patient, responding to thousands of emergencies across the East Midlands.

EMICS recently responded to its 50,000th emergency call — a milestone that captures the cumulative impact of four decades of swift, advanced medical interventions in moments of crisis.

EMICS expanded its coverage to include the entirety of Lincolnshire, adding over 2,700 square miles to its service area and bringing pre-hospital emergency care to more communities than ever.

We welcomed paramedics to the team of responders and introduced two-person crews on our Fast Response Vehicles. The addition of paramedics brought a broader skill-set and increased capacity, while two-person crews improved efficiency and safety at emergency scenes.

EMICS partnered with Central Medical Services (CMS) to grow our operational capability — drug ordering, restocking medical bags and additional critical-care cars — letting us attend more callouts and reach patients faster.

The scheme continues as a charity, using donations to purchase and maintain vital emergency medical equipment, train new clinicians and run the organisation — always alongside our paramedic colleagues and other emergency services, treating seriously ill and injured patients.