Advanced paramedics to provide video support for cardiac arrest calls

East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) have been collaborating to pilot a scheme to provide members of the public with expert support during cardiac arrest 999 calls.

The new scheme, which is a first for the UK, will provide callers with access to specialist care during the most crucial minutes of a cardiac arrest. During the 999 call, advanced paramedics in the ambulance control room will contact bystanders via the GoodSAM video platform.

They will assess the situation visually and deliver patient-specific advice and expert guidance on providing 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 Community Resilience Grants Fund from NHS Charities Together, thanks to a successful partnership with Omaze.

The pilot is based on a programme successfully trialled in Denmark and will be 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 will run four days a week, 7am to 7pm, starting 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.”

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.”

NHS Charities Together has provided a £1.85m fund to help improve survival rates from life-threatening emergencies such out of hospital cardiac arrests, thanks to a successful partnership with Omaze.