People who call 999 for someone in cardiac arrest could soon receive live video support from specialist paramedics, under a new scheme being piloted by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust.
The initiative, the first of its kind in the UK, will allow advanced paramedics to see what’s happening at the scene via the GoodSAM video platform, helping them guide members of the public through life-saving CPR during the crucial minutes before an ambulance arrives.
East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST), which serves Luton and the wider region, has partnered with Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT), which also covers the town, to deliver the scheme. It’s based on a successful Danish model and will operate from EEAST’s emergency operations centre, four days a week from 7am to 7pm. The project is set to launch later this year.
Dr Simon Walsh, Medical Director for EEAST, said: “Each year, EEAST’s crews carry out resuscitation on around 3,500 patients. We can restart over 1,000 of those patient’s hearts. However, nationally, the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest in the community long enough to be discharged from hospital is only one in ten. Providing CPR as soon as possible is a massive part in improving the chances of survival. This scheme will help bystanders keep patients alive during those vital minutes when our ambulances are on their way.”
The service will focus on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, where fast intervention is often the key to survival. Paramedics monitoring the 999 call will assess the patient’s condition through video and offer precise, calm instructions to those on the scene. The hope is that giving callers visual and verbal guidance will make CPR more effective in those critical early moments.
The project has been made possible by the East of England Ambulance Service Charity, with a £142,000 Community Resilience Grants Fund provided by NHS Charities Together. The funding comes through a national £1.85 million initiative aimed at improving outcomes for life-threatening emergencies, supported by a fundraising partnership with Omaze.
Kate Lott, Head of Charity for the East of England Ambulance Service Charity, said: “Your help supporting NHS charities saves lives and we’re humbled by what can be achieved thanks to incredible staff initiatives and your generous support. This project will make a life-saving difference, giving people real-time help during some of the most critical minutes of a person’s life.”
Luton residents are being urged to continue calling 999 immediately in the event of a suspected cardiac arrest and to be ready to follow CPR instructions — which could soon be delivered live on screen by a trained paramedic.
