A pioneering new scheme is now live across the East of England, including Luton, giving 999 callers immediate access to specialist guidance during the critical moments of a cardiac arrest.
The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) is piloting the initiative, which connects members of the public calling 999 with advanced paramedics via live video support.
Using the GoodSAM platform, ambulance control room staff can initiate a video link with bystanders. This enables clinicians to visually assess the situation in real time and provide tailored, expert guidance on providing effective cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until the ambulance crew arrives.
This life-saving project is supported by the East of England Ambulance Service Charity. It is made possible by a £142,000 grant awarded by NHS Charities Together through its £1.85M Community Resilience Grants Fund in partnership with Omaze.
The pilot, based on a programme successfully trialled in Denmark is the first of its kind in the UK.
The out-of-hospital cardiac arrest desk will be based at EEAST’s emergency operations centre. It is now running four days a week, 7am to 7pm.
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 effective 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.”
Kate Lott, Head of Charity for the East of England Ambulance Service Charity said: “When someone’s heart stops, every second matters. This incredible £142,000 grant awarded to the East of England Ambulance Service Charity will help make those vital seconds count. This pioneering initiative will make a life-saving difference, giving people real-time help during some of the most critical minutes of a person’s life.”
Jon Goodwin, Head of Grants at NHS Charities Together, said: “This is a brilliant example of the type of innovative projects being delivered by NHS charities across the UK and we’re proud to be able to support it with funding from our Community Resilience Grants Fund.
“The video CPR pilot being launched today has the potential to save lives, ensuring quick access to specialist care during those critical first few minutes while the ambulance arrives, enhancing the quality of CPR and offering much needed reassurance. Huge congratulations to everyone at the East of England Ambulance Service Charity who have been involved in getting this exciting project off the ground.”
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