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Restart a Heart Day: More than 100 people resuscitated by police in Cambs, Beds and Herts thanks to app




More than 100 people suffering heart attacks have been resuscitated by police thanks to a life-saving app.

An alert is triggered through the GoodSAM app when the East of England Ambulance Service receives a 999 call reporting a possible cardiac arrest anywhere in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire or Hertfordshire.

The GoodSAM app is helping to save lives
The GoodSAM app is helping to save lives

It sounds on the mobile phones of any first aid trained officers who are logged into GoodSAM and are within 800 metres of the incident.

Since it was launched in Cambridgeshire in October 2021, more than 500 police officers across the three forces have responded to alerts and many have given life-saving CPR.

Chief Supt Jon Hutchinson, speaking on behalf of the three forces, said: “As police officers we are dedicated to serving the public and protecting lives. We are delighted to have played a part in helping so many people who have suffered a cardiac arrest.”

The service helps bridge the gap between a 999 call and an ambulance arriving at the scene, as for every minute that CPR is not administered following a cardiac arrest, the chance of the victim dying increases by 10 per cent.

Recently, the initiative was expanded to include East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and the London Ambulance Service (LAS), enabling off-duty officers living in neighbouring areas such as London, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire to attend incidents closer to home.

Jo Fletcher, associate director for urgent and emergency care integration at the East of England Ambulance Service Trust, said: “This is a fantastic example of how emergency services are working together to provide the best possible response to the public when they need us. In the event of a cardiac arrest, every minute counts and the sooner a patient can get medical help such as CPR, the better their chances of survival.

“I want to thank the dedicated police officers across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire who have gone above and beyond their duties in responding to nearby cardiac arrest calls.”

Officers get an alert via the GoodSAM app if there is a cardiac arrest within 800 metres of their location
Officers get an alert via the GoodSAM app if there is a cardiac arrest within 800 metres of their location

Prof Mark Wilson, the GoodSAM co-founder, added: “Beds, Cambs and Herts police forces and EEAST have led the way restarting the hearts of more than 100 people. Imagine the thousands of people that could be saved if this was replicated by forces and ambulance services across the UK (and beyond). We thank both their leadership and every officer who has so kindly volunteered.”

Find out more about the GoodSAM cardiac arrest alerting platform.

Today (Wednesday) marks Restart a Heart Day, raising awareness about CPR and cardiac arrests.

To mark it, there are a number of free events at which CPR training is being offered:

- 8am to 7pm Wednesday, 16 October at The Grand Arcade, Cambridge;
- 10am Tuesday, 29 October, The Deakin Centre, next to car park one, Addenbrooke’s Hospital;
- 2.30-5.30pm, Friday, 1 November, at Northstowe Interim Community Centre (The Cabin).

Training is focusing on adult patients but there is the option to stay behind if additional insight into paediatrics is required. It is not suitable for those requiring certification for professional needs.

To book your place on one of these sessions, visit https://shorturl.at/p9kTz.

Find out more about the GoodSAM cardiac arrest alerting platform at https://www.goodsamapp.org/cardiac.

Visit https://www.resus.org.uk/public-resource/how-we-save-lives/lifesaver-learning to learn how to save a life using CPR.




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