About EMC Medical Services
EMC Medical Services is a registered company of the Care Quality Commission and the Health and Safety Executive which allows us to practice as a private ambulance service and provide first aid training courses in accordance with these bodies.
EMC was founded in 2007, and is owned and operated by an experienced health care professional currently practising within the National Health Service.
After providing several years of service to the community it became apparent that there was a great demand for a high quality first aid training and event medical provider, operating independently from the NHS. This is something that other people have tried to do many times before but as experienced professionals it was very easy to spot those companies with little or no real life experience in dealing with emergencies of a 999 nature.
After initially providing event medical cover we were being approached on a weekly basis to provide first aid training to various organisations. Although there are literally thousands of companies offering a first aid training service, our client base seemed to like the idea of having training delivered by people who answered 999 calls for a living. This type of training allows our clients to get a "real world" training experience whilst being safe in the knowledge that anything their tutor doesn't know about first aid training or emergency situations really isn't worth knowing! To the best of our knowledge not even the more expensive and well known training providers in the UK can offer this service.
We offer a range of first aid and medical training courses to suit the individual needs of our clients. All of our instructors are health care professionals who specialise in their individual areas and have hands on experience within these areas. So whether you are looking for a quick first aid refresher course, a packet of plasters, a paramedic team at your private event or even a private jet with medical escort – we're here to help!
EMC Medical Services has Public Liability, Professional Indemnity, and all staff, instructors and assessors have the qualifications required by the Care Quality Commission and Health and Safety Executive to carry out their role.
Craig Barlow BSc (Hons) – Clinical Director
Craig started his career with the ambulance service in 1998 as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. In 2006 he qualified as a paramedic, registered with the Health Professions Council. During his career within the ambulance service he has undertaken many development roles to include Commercial Training Officer, Shift Control Manager and Clinical Supervisor.
Craig later completed his BSc (Hons) in Pre Hospital Emergency Care at Oxford Brookes University. Craig is currently studying towards his PGCE at Oxford Brookes University.
Craig has been heavily involved within the equestrian industry for over twenty years and is a manager of his own British Horse Society - Approved Livery Yard. He still actively rides and keeps his horses at his yard in Blewbury.
Craig continues to practice as both a Paramedic with South Central Ambulance Service and as an Emergency Care Practitioner for Community Health Oxfordshire, where he is an autonomous practitioner working within the emergency and urgent care setting.
Craig is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management and the College of Paramedics.
Barry Wildsmith – Operations Director
Barry is currently completing an MBA at Warwick business school and has recently joined EMC as Operations Director. As a qualified Emergency Medical Technician and trainer/assessor he is involved in the development and delivery of our specialist first aid courses, as well as the management and development of our community education and volunteering programmes.
Barry has a wide range of experience working with the public and voluntary sector, most recently as Director of Community Programmes for a Thames Valley based charity, a role which included the strategic management of both central and local government contracts.
Prior to this Barry worked for the British Red Cross within both a domestic and international setting, on projects including the development of training for vulnerable young people and international humanitarian law. Barry holds his City and Guilds training and assessors qualifications and is about to embark onto his Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS).
Dr Lizle Blom MbChB, MCEM - Medical Director / Advisor
Lizle has been a doctor for 12 years and worked for the NHS for 9 years. Lizle is a Specialist Registrar in Accident and Emergency Medicine. She is an Advanced Trauma and Life Support instructor, an Adult and Paediatric life support provider. She became involved in Equestrian sport through British Eventing at Blenheim International horse trials and has an interest in a variety of sports. Lizle is a keen martial artist with a 3rd dan black belt in Taekwondo and has competed internationally in Korea.
Gof Smith - Operations Manager
Godfrey Smith (better known as Gof) joined EMC in 2010 as Operations Manager overseeing the day to day running of the company. As well as being our Care Quality Commission registered manager, Gof also leads on our Patient Transport Service. His professional career extends to over 17 years of resource management, at many public events. These include Henley Royal Regatta, Blenheim Horse Trials, Cropredy Festival, Newbury Race Course and Truck Fest.
Gof is a qualified Emergency Medical Technician and has over 30 years’ experience within the first aid and events Industry. He is also a qualified Heart Start instructor and delivers training to local community groups as part of our community education programme. He has experience as both a volunteer and paid staff member of St. John Ambulance and Red Cross. Outside of work Gof is also a volunteer leading a team of Ambulance Service Community Responders in his home town of Faringdon.
Andrea Ferdinands – Events and Training Administrator
Andrea joined us in 2011 as our Events and Training Administrator, liaising direct with our customers and suppliers. Andrea is a qualified Emergency Medical Technician and regularly provides medical cover for our polo contracts. She is also a qualified Heart Start instructor and delivers training to local community groups as part of our community education programme.