Lowestoft Responders

Why do we need Community Responder Schemes?

Dr Richard Cummins, from Seattle, USA discovered that if a series of events took place in a set sequence, a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival.  These events are known as the “Chain of Survival”.

• Early Access
• Early Resuscitation
• Early Defibrillation
• Early Advanced Life Support

When put into practice by increasing public awareness, training in basic life support and community based Automated External Defibrillators, these events have improved the pre hospital survival rate to between 25% and 30%.

East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust believes that by introducing a scheme where Community Responders are trained in providing the first three events in the chain, there would be a significant improvement in the chance of survival.

The Concept of a Community Responder Scheme

A  Responder Scheme is made up of groups of volunteers who, within the community in which they live or work, have been trained to attend emergency calls received by the NHS Ambulance Service, providing first aid until an emergency ambulance arrives.

East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust when looking at the locations for Responder Groups, took the following into consideration:

• Towns or villages where it is challenging for an emergency ambulance to arrive at scene within 8 minutes – this is usually in the more rural areas of the County.
• The total number of calls received within these locations must be significant enough for training to take place, ensuring motivation of the group members and their contribution would have a valued, significant effect on patients.

The East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust will liaise with the responder group using their local knowledge to decide on what area can be responded to in less than 8 minutes. 

Who can become a Community Responder?

A Community Responder would be between 18 and 70 years of age, physically fit, able to achieve a satisfactory standard of proficiency after training, have a full driving licence, access to a car and have a sympathetic, caring approach to people.

Responder Group Structure

Ideally each group would consist of between 10 and 15 First responders.  Each group has an identified co-ordinator.
Groups would meet regularly to arrange events such as;

• Fund Raising Activities
• Community Awareness Programmes i.e. local fetes
• Availability of Members for Rota planning
• Revision Training
• Case Reviews
• Social Events

Availability

Volunteers between them are able to provide one member ‘on call’ through a rota system.  The rotas are agreed by the group and, although there are no minimum or maximum periods of availability for individual members, as a whole the group would ideally be expected to provide cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Group links into the Ambulance Service through the Ambulance Service Co-ordinator.  Wherever possible, this person will be a serving member of the Ambulance Service who lives or works near to your group.  This member of staff is responsible for providing support to each group and individual group members.

The Role of the Community Responder

The main responsibilities of a Community Responder are:

• To attend emergency calls in their area at the direction of the Ambulance Communications Centre and achieve, where possible, a response within 8 minutes.
• To provide appropriate treatment to patients prior to arrival of an ambulance.
• To document, record and inform attending Ambulance Crews of the history and treatment given.
• When required, provide continuing care under the direction of the Ambulance Crew.
• To remain at the scene of an incident until relieved by an Ambulance Crew.

Types of Calls

The Ambulance Communications Centre receives emergency calls at all times throughout the day and night.

The number and nature of these calls are difficult to predict, however, it would be anticipated that a group would respond to a least one emergency call a week.

Types of calls would include chest pains, breathing difficulties and collapses due to other medical problems.

Some calls are considered unsuitable to send Community Responders to attend; these include maternity incidents or known violent situations.

How will Community Responders be called out?

This will be by the East Anglian Ambulance Emergency Medical Communications Centre via mobile phone and pager. Currently, a new system by automatic notification is being trialled for responders.

An emergency ambulance will always be despatched to the incident.
Will Training be provided?

Volunteers are required to have a current first aid certificate prior to being accepted as a responder.

Community Responders will then receive training in the use of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), oxygen therapy, and  operational procedures to be able to competently carry out duties that will promote the well being of the patient until an Emergency Ambulance or other trained personnel arrives on scene.

During the training period, candidates will be assessed by approved qualified instructors and have to pass satisfactorily practical and written examinations before being allowed to participate as a Community Responder.

All Community Responders will be required to participate in on-going training programmes, which will include re-assessment of Basic Life Support techniques including defibrillation.

Is any Equipment Supplied?

The East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust holds an approved list of equipment.  This equipment is purchased by the scheme using funds raised by the group.

Will there be any support after dealing with a serious incident?

Following all serious incidents the designated Ambulance Service representative would be available to offer any relevant help or support.

What would I get out of being a Community Responder?

As a volunteer, you would not be paid, however you would get the satisfaction of helping others in your community.

Thank you for your interest.