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Abstract: The long‐standing debate into the potential benefit of developing mathematical thinking skills through learning to program has been reignited with the widespread introduction of programming in schools across many countries, including England where it is a statutory requirement for all pupils to be taught programming from 5 years old. Algorithm is introduced early in the English computing curriculum, yet there is limited knowledge of how young pupils view this concept. This paper explores pupils' (aged 10–11) understandings of algorithm following their engagement with 1 year of ScratchMaths, a curriculum designed to develop computational and mathematical thinking skills through learning to program. A total of 181 pupils from 6 schools undertook a set of written tasks to assess their interpretations and evaluations of different algorithms that solve the same problem, with a subset of these pupils subsequently interviewed to probe their understandings in greater depth. We discuss the different approaches identified, the evaluation criteria they used, and the aspects of the concept that pupils found intuitive or challenging, such as simplification and abstraction. The paper ends with some reflections on the implications of the research, concluding with a set of recommendations for pedagogy in developing primary pupils' algorithmic thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Helicopter emergency medical services play a valuable role in the transfer of critically ill patients. This paper reviews the role of air ambulance services in the provision of regional burns care and suggests guidelines for their use. Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated at the Midlands Adult Burns Centre over a 3-year period. Results: 27 adult burns patients were transported by air ambulance during the study period. Patients were aged 19–89 years (average 41.3 years) with an estimated burn size of 5–70% TBSA. Distance travelled was 11–79miles (average 41.2miles). All patients were appropriately referred to the burns centre according to national referral guidelines but in 7 cases (26%) it was felt that transport by air ambulance was not clinically indicated and land transfer would have been safe and appropriate. Conclusion: Air ambulances offer a fast and effective means of transferring patients to a regional burns centre in selected cases. There is limited data for the beneficial effects of helicopters and survival benefit is seen only in the most severely injured patients. We suggest criteria for the use of air ambulances in burns patients in order to maximise the benefit and reduce unnecessary flights. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]