Six new community first responder cars for South Western Ambulance
They've been funded through a grant from NHS Charities Together
Six new community first responder cars are patrolling for South Western Ambulance Service (SWAS), thanks to some charity support.
£128,000 from NHS Charities Together has paid for the vehicles and the kit they carry.
The response cars are driven by volunteers with SWAS, attending emergencies ahead of a regular ambulance.
In the last 12 months, community first responders were sent out around 24,000 times, to medical incidents like cardiac arrests, chest pains, breathing difficulties and patients who had fallen.
Each car has been converted and equipped with a full Community First Responder kit including a defibrillator and observation equipment, as well as a Raizer lifting chair to assist patients who have had a fall.
Will Warrender, Chief Executive of SWASFT, said:
“The funding received by the South Western Ambulance Charity is enabling us to better support our volunteers, who, in turn provide incredible support to the communities they serve.
“The six cars that are being provided through the charity will enable Community First Responders to respond to emergencies across a wider geographic area and support the training of new volunteers through observer shifts.”
Zoe Larter, Head of South Western Ambulance Charity, said:
“We would like to thank NHS Charities Together for awarding us this grant. It’s really going to make a huge difference and help improve the patient care delivered by our dedicated volunteers.”