The new Bishopthorpe First Responders Service has been launched.
What is it?
The service provides local support to the ambulance services where someone may need urgent attention.
How does the system work?
You would dial 999 in the usual way in case of an emergency. The ambulance service then decides if calling a First Responder would increase the patients’ chances of survival where emergency resuscitation is needed and the response time is critical. Locally trained volunteers are available on a rota, and can be called in by the ambulance service.
A defibrillator has been acquired, and a first cohort of local volunteers have been trained in its use. Using the defibrillator will hopefully be a rare occasion, as most times oxygen therapy is sufficient, or even a little reassurance and TLC until the paramedics arrive.
It must stressed that the volunteeers are not a substitute for the ambulance services. An ambulance, once called, will always respond. They are there to respond quickly when time is of the essence.
Jenny Harris who has campaigned for the new service writes:
"The first 15 of the volunteers to be First Responders have now finished their training.
Training has included administration of oxygen therapy and the use of the most up to date defibrillator.
Cover for 24 hours is our aim and this should be possible when our next group is trained.
Although our medical equipment is supplied by the ambulance service, we still need to pay rent for the hire of the church hall or village hall for the training sessions. We also need to purchase more yellow high visibility jackets as we all vary considerably in size!!!
To help us raise more money we will be holding raffles from time to time. So if anyone offers you a ticket please buy lots and help us boost our funds.
We hope that it comforting for everyone to know that help is at hand should anyone have cause to call an ambulance that would necessitate emergency resuscitation techniques."
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