John Hinds (doctor)

Hinds was born on 21 March 1980 in Newtownards, Northern Ireland.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/ni-obituaries/obituary-dr-john-hinds-medical-man-and-motorbike-master-1-6875179|title=OBITUARY: Dr John Hinds, medical man and motorbike master|work=The News Letter|accessdate=15 September 2015|archive-date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426042649/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/ni-obituaries/obituary-dr-john-hinds-medical-man-and-motorbike-master-1-6875179|url-status=dead}} From the age of seventeen, he was a motorcycle enthusiast.{{cite press release|title=Dr John given an R10 prescription by Bridgestone!|date=12 May 2015|publisher=Bridgestone|url=http://www.bridgestone.co.uk/off-the-road/sitecore/content/mc/web/home/motorcycle-tyres/your-journey/news/2015/05/dr-john-given-an-r10-prescription-by-bridgestone/|accessdate=26 Nov 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033916/http://www.bridgestone.co.uk/off-the-road/sitecore/content/mc/web/home/motorcycle-tyres/your-journey/news/2015/05/dr-john-given-an-r10-prescription-by-bridgestone/|url-status=dead}}

He studied at Queen's University Belfast and graduated with a medical degree in 2003.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/irish-road-racing-travelling-medic-6001905|title=Irish road racing travelling medic Dr John Hinds dies following crash in north Dublin|first=Aine |last=O'Doherty|date=4 July 2015|work=Irish Mirror|accessdate=15 September 2015}} In 2012 he gained his CCT, with dual accreditation in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine.{{cite web |url=https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/MarCouncil2012.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524183209/http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/sites/default/files/MarCouncil2012.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2015 |title=Meeting of Council |publisher=Royal College of Anaesthetists |page=7 |date=March 2012}}

He had a voluntary role as part of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland's medical team and regularly provided medical cover for motorcycle racing events, joining the team in 2003.{{cite journal |url=http://www.ums.ac.uk/umj084/084(2)077.pdf |title=The Art of Motorcycle Medicine |first=John |last=Purvis |journal=Ulster Medical Journal |date=May 2015 |volume=84 |issue=2 |pages=77–78|pmid=26170480 }} Hinds was one of two doctors who were mounted on motorcycles to provide a rapid response, often referred to colloquially as "The Flying Doctors" in reference to the very high speeds at which they deployed.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/2742981/A-dangerous-game.html |title=A dangerous game |first=Olly |last=Duke |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=2 Sep 2006 |accessdate=27 October 2015}} He had a well-established partnership with his colleague, Fred MacSorley.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8040426.stm |title=Biking Doctors |work=BBC News |date=8 May 2009}} The two rode as 'travelling doctors', following the riders on the warm-up and opening lap of each race or practice session, enabling them to be on scene rapidly in the event of a serious incident occurring. They were also supported by response vehicles staffed by other doctors and paramedics.

He lectured in trauma science at the Queen Mary University of London.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/features/flying-doctor-how-medic-john-hinds-is-helping-to-make-biking-safer-31217208.html |title=Flying doctor: How medic John Hinds is helping to make biking safer |first=Stephanie |last=Bell |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=13 May 2015 |accessdate=27 October 2015}} Over several years, Hinds was a speaker at the Social Media and Critical Care Conference (SMACC), giving presentations such as "more cases from the races"{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocHeJG5o8N0 |title=more cases from the races by hinds |publisher=SMACC|date=7 July 2015 |accessdate=1 November 2015}} and "Crack the Chest: Get Crucified".{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFX_tocJShA |title=Hinds: Crack the Chest. Get Crucified| publisher=SMACC|date=7 July 2015 |accessdate=1 November 2015}}

Hinds campaigned for Northern Ireland to have its own air ambulance.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/we-should-have-air-ambulance-like-rest-of-uk-says-crash-medic-31233356.html |title=We should have air ambulance like rest of UK, says crash medic |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=19 May 2015 |accessdate=27 October 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33137007 |title=Northern Ireland air ambulance 'necessity, not luxury' says medic |first=Marie-Louise |last=Connolly |work=BBC News |date=6 June 2015}} In June 2015, he met Health Minister Simon Hamilton to discuss his concerns.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/we-need-our-own-air-ambulance-or-lives-will-be-lost-north-west-200-doctor-urges-health-minister-31304842.html |title=We need our own air ambulance or lives will be lost, North West 200 doctor urges Health Minister |first=Suzanne |last=Breen |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=16 June 2015 |accessdate=27 October 2015}}

On the evening of 3 July 2015, Hinds was involved in an accident while providing medical cover at a Skerries 100 practice session. He was taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin but died the following day from his injuries. At the coroner's inquest into his death, the medical pathologist's report confirmed the cause of death to be multiple traumatic injuries after his motorcycle hit a wall when on roads closed-off to the public for the duration of racing.{{Cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/race-medic-john-hinds-died-from-multiple-injuries-inquest-told-35678316.html|title=Race medic John Hinds died from multiple injuries, inquest told|last=Roseingrave|first=Louise|date=2017-05-04|work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk|access-date=2017-06-20|language=en}} He is survived by his wife, Janet Acheson.{{Cite news|title = Motorcycling's 'guardian angel' medic is laid to rest|url = http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2015/07/09/news/bikers-join-medics-to-bid-farewell-to-guardian-angel-of-motorcycling--178465/ |first=Gail |last=Bell |work = The Irish News |date=9 July 2015|accessdate = 2 November 2015}}

Hinds was posthumously awarded a BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award, in recognition of his volunteering work in sport.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2015/12/17/news/posthumous-award-for-flying-doctor-john-hinds-357386/ |title=Posthumous award for 'Flying Doctor' John Hinds |first=Jennifer |last=Maloney |work=The Irish News |date=17 December 2015 |accessdate=17 December 2015}} The College of Paramedics posthumously awarded him the title of honorary fellow.{{cite news |url=https://www.collegeofparamedics.co.uk/COP/About_us/Honours/COP/Honours.aspx |title=Honours |publisher=College of Paramedics |website=www.collegeofparamedics.co.uk|accessdate=21 November 2020}} The College later set up a scholarship in his name.{{cite news |url=https://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/sport/inaugural-scholarship-fitting-tribute-legacy-flying-doctor-john-hinds-73137 |title=Inaugural scholarship is fitting tribute to legacy of 'Flying Doctor' John Hinds |first=Kyle |last=White |work=Portadown Times |date=15 March 2019|accessdate=21 November 2020}}

Following his death, his widow campaigned for an air ambulance to be launched in his honour.{{Cite news|title = Partner of 'flying doctor' John Hinds humbled by support for air ambulance|url = http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/northern-ireland-news/partner-of-flying-doctor-john-hinds-humbled-by-support-for-air-ambulance-1-7006224|work = The News Letter|date = 12 October 2015|accessdate = 2 November 2015|archive-date = 19 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151019032133/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/northern-ireland-news/partner-of-flying-doctor-john-hinds-humbled-by-support-for-air-ambulance-1-7006224|url-status = dead}}

On 21 March 2016, the day that would have been Hind’s 36th birthday, the key findings of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service consultation were announced.{{cite web |url=http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/dr-john-hinds-dream-northern-11071127 |title=Dr John Hinds' dream for Northern Ireland to get air ambulance takes another step forward on his birthday |first=Sarah |last=Scott |work=www.belfastlive.co.uk |date=21 March 2016 |accessdate=13 March 2016}} £4 million of funding had been granted towards the project. The aircraft base is at Maze LongKesh, the site of a former prison, outside of Lisburn. There were calls for the aircraft to be named "Delta 7", the callsign formerly assigned to Hinds by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for whom he responded as one of a group of volunteer BASICS doctors.{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/new-air-ambulance-will-be-tribute-to-tragic-campaigner-dr-john-hinds-34558320.html |title=New air ambulance will be tribute to tragic campaigner Dr John Hinds |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=21 March 2016 |accessdate=13 March 2016}}

In August 2016, it was announced that Air Ambulance Northern Ireland would partner with the health service in Northern Ireland to provide the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) in Northern Ireland. The charity operates in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the aviation side of the service and fund the non-medical costs of HEMS.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/healthcarenews/2016/08/23/news/charity-partner-for-north-s-air-ambulance-service-confirmed-664371/ |title=Charity partner for north's air ambulance service confirmed |format= |date=23 August 2016 |accessdate=}}

The helicopter service was first officially deployed in August 2017, after attending incidents earlier during preparatory and training time.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-40799466 Northern Ireland air ambulance service launches] BBC News N.Ireland, 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017[http://www.airambulanceni.org/news/ Air Ambulance NI News]. Retrieved 1 November 2017

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.righttoride.co.uk/2015/07/09/doc-john-hinds/ Doc John Hinds] Tribute at [http://www.righttoride.co.uk/ Right to Ride]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hinds, John}}

Category:1980 births

Category:2015 deaths

Category:People from Tandragee

Category:Sportspeople from Newtownards

Category:Alumni of Queen's University Belfast

Category:Sport deaths in the Republic of Ireland

Category:Academics of Queen Mary University of London

Category:British medical doctors

Category:Intensivists

Category:Medical doctors from County Down