31.05.2011 Fire at the Tantons Hotel, in Bideford, North Devon

A BASICS doctor was dealing with a major incident in Bideford, North Devon this Morning after a fire at the Tantons Hotel.

Dr David Hillebrandt, a member of TACTICS, one of BASICS South West’s four constituent voluntary schemes, was called to the scene by Ambulance control at 5.30 am.

More than 50 people were rescued from the hotel including several taken from the roof by the Fire Service.

Many of those rescued were elderly or had medical conditions requiring support. They had had to abandon their belongings, including vital medications, in the Hotel.

Dr Hillebrandt set up a makeshift medical centre in the nearby Royal Hotel and together with a pharmacist from a nearby Lloyds Chemist, is providing urgent medical services to the rescued survivors.

For more information on TACTICS contact Dr Simon Scott-Hayward at simon.scott-hayward@swast.nhs.uk

For more in formation on BASICS South West Contact Dr James Hickman on medicalchairman@saves.org.uk