BASICS London is a group of doctors who give immediate, on the spot care to victims of accidents, medical emergencies, and disasters. The service is voluntary and unpaid, and we are on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Over the last 25 years we have built up a very close relationship with London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and the Metropolitan Police Service.

The bulk of our work is in helping casualties of road traffic collisions, especially those who are trapped and seriously injured. We are also called to give immediate medical care to people who have become critically ill through medical problems or trauma.

A fatal accident with persons trapped

We have played a key role in major incidents such as the King’s Cross fire, the Moorgate, Clapham, Purley and Ladbroke Grove rail disasters, and the Soho bombing. We have also attended the sinking of the Marchioness, and more recently the Mayday riots, the Hatfield rail disaster and the “white powder” incidents in London. BASICS London has also been involved in providing care and assisting with the planning of the Queen Mother’s funeral and the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Our greatest challenge was on 7th July 2006, at the 5 sites of the London bombings. A total of 19 doctors from HEMS London and BASICS London were deployed by air and land. The first reached the scene 3 to 4 minutes following activation. Within 30 minutes each incident had an operational Medical Incident Officer. Each doctor worked alongside a HEMS or LAS Paramedic.

With in two and half hours each scene was cleared of all live casualties.

Why are we needed?

Ambulance technicians and paramedics are trained to the highest standard and have a great deal of skill and experience in caring for patients from the time of injury or onset of acute medical problem to their arrival at hospital. Ambulance Doctors can bring the hospital to the patient and can take their care one step further. This may involve advanced assessment of the patient, specialised analgesia and anaesthesia, and surgical procedures. They also have an important role in scene management, triage to the most appropriate facility, and providing medical advice and support to the ambulance crews.