We support the work of volunteer
lifesavers in the capital through a registered charity – London
Ambulance Service Voluntary Responder Group.
Launched by patron Dame Helen Mirren in March
2012, the charity offers financial support to volunteer groups
responding to patients alongside a traditional 999 ambulance
response.
We already reach a majority of patients
quickly, but for those whose heart has stopped beating getting lifesaving
care to them immediately will give them the best chance of
survival.
All volunteer responders are trained to use a
defibrillator, a device that can restart a
patient’s heart by delivering an electric shock. Getting a
defibrillator to someone in cardiac arrest gives them the best
chance of survival.
We have worked over the last decade to improve
the cardiac arrest survival rate in London which is now at its
highest ever level, and our work with
volunteer responders looks to build on that success.
The London Ambulance Voluntary Responder Group
is made of of three sections:
- Emergency responders – clinically-trained
volunteers responding on blue lights alongside ambulances to 999
calls
- Community first
responders – defibrillator-trained St John Ambulance volunteers
attending on call from their homes and responding to 999 calls in
their own car without blue lights alongside ambulances
- Public-access
defibrillator sites – people who work at these locations
trained to use a defibrillator and respond to emergencies while an
ambulance is on the way
For more information about the
charity or to enquire about making a donation please email
voluntaryrespondergroup@lond-amb.nhs.uk.
London Ambulance Service Voluntary Responder Group is a
registered charity no.1061191.