Ambulance volunteers to respond to more incidents

Plans are under way to help volunteers respond to a wider range of incidents, says South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb).

The trust has launched a new strategy to increase the training and support they give volunteers in order to broaden their role in saving lives across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

By doing so, Secamb aims to provide "additional support within communities while easing pressure on ambulance resources."

Head of community resilience Danny Dixon said the move intends to "build on the incredible contribution volunteers already make".

As part of Secamb's new volunteering and community resilience strategy, volunteers will be supported to respond to a wider range of incidents, including non-injury falls.

They will also play an important role in delivering more basic life support training to people.

This includes improving cardiac arrest survival rates by raising awareness of how important it is to recognise the problem quickly, call 999 and start emergency chest compression as soon as possible.

Dixon said: "Volunteers are a vital part of how we support our communities and save lives.

"This strategy builds on the incredible contribution they already make by giving them the training, opportunities and support they need to have an even greater impact.

"By strengthening community resilience, expanding volunteers' skills and raising awareness of life-saving actions, we can empower more people to respond in an emergency and ultimately improve patient outcomes," he said.

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