FOI 25-571 - Nerve Blocks

Freedom of Information Request

Reference
FOI 25-571 - Nerve Blocks
Request Date
09 Dec 2025
Response Date
17 Dec 2025
Information Requested

My dissertation is on the benefits of nerve blocks for fractured neck of femurs for silver trauma patients. Please could you give me the following information: 

Do you provide the service of fascia iliaca compartment blocks within the emergency setting for patients over 65 years old.  

If so, do you have any data on the percentage of patients that have been given this service and what training was involved so that paramedics can provide this medical intervention.  

 

If not do you have any plans to introduce this medical procedure.  

What percentage of men to women did your service attend for Neck Of Femur Fractures in 2023/2024  

What pain relief is used within your area in the emergency setting for a Fractured Neck of femur.  

Response

The Scottish Ambulance Service does not provide fascia iliaca compartment blocks (FICB) as a core pre‑hospital intervention and has no national guidance in place; accordingly, we do not hold data on the percentage of patients receiving FICB or any paramedic training programme for it.  There are also no plans to introduce FICB in the future. 

 

We have applied section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002 to your request for the percentage of men to woman we attended with a Neck Of Femur fracture for 2023/2024.  We do not hold a dataset that identifies the fracture of this nature. 

 

The Scottish Ambulance Service take a stepwise approach to pain management which reflects the patient's pain severity.  In addition to immobilisation/positioning, psychological support/reassurances etc, the Scottish Ambulance Service can provide the following: 

 

  • Entonox (Technician, Paramedics, Advanced Practitioner Urgent Care, APCC) 
  • Paracetamol (Paramedics, Advanced Practitioner Urgent Care, APCC) 
  • Methoxyflurane (Penthrox) (carried on some rural and remote ambulances, APCC, Air Ambulance Paramedics, SORT Paramedics)  
  • Morphine Sulfate (Paramedics, Advanced Practitioners Urgent Care, APCCs)  
  • Ketamine (APCCs) 

 

Some information that you may find useful - FICB procedure is provided by the PICT (Pre-Hospital Immediate Care and Trauma) that operates as a joint NHS Highland and SAS resource.  They utilise the Scottish Ambulance Service rapid response car and respond to unwell patients in and around Inverness and across the Highlands.  More information on this could be requested from NHS Highland -  Freedom of information | NHS Highland 

 

 

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