Video support for cardiac arrest calls goes live

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 will run four days a week, 7am to 7pm, starting from Monday 29 September.

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.”

Notes: EEAST attended and treated 3,351 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 2024-25. 28% of those treated were admitted to hospital with their heart re-started (Return of Spontaneous Circulation).
Only 8.4% survived to 30 days after their arrest. Survival rates are much higher (up to 29%) for patients where their cardiac arrest is witnessed and good CPR delivered promptly.

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.

Working with the network of 14 NHS ambulance charities across the UK, the Community Resilience Grants Fund supports projects that will help more people gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond if faced with a life-threatening situation, such as a cardiac arrest, while the ambulance is on its way.

About NHS Charities Together: NHS Charities Together is the national charity helping the NHS to thrive and making sure everyone can get the healthcare they deserve.  

Together with over 200 NHS charities across the UK, we’re helping to make healthcare better by improving patient care, making sure our incredible NHS staff are cared for, and ensuring everyone has access to health services and can live healthy lives. 

To find out more about our work and how you can support us visit nhscharitiestogether.co.uk