Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Desk

EEAST is the first ambulance service in the UK to launch a dedicated Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Desk.

The service was established thanks to funding from the East of England Ambulance Service Charity and a grant awarded by NHS Charities Together through its Community Resilience Grants Fund, in partnership with Omaze.

The desk is staffed by Advanced Paramedics in Critical Care who use video technology to support callers during a cardiac arrest emergency. Using the GoodSAM platform, clinicians can initiate a secure video link with bystanders, allowing them to assess the situation visually and provide real-time expert guidance.

This enhanced support helps callers deliver effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use a defibrillator safely, and provide the best possible care until ambulance crews arrive.

Although the service is still relatively new, early indications are positive and we are already seeing benefits for patients. Following its successful introduction, the service has now expanded to operate seven days a week.