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Brendan Gibb-Gray
Following the closure of Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital in September
2005, we have been working hard to start a local Community Responders
scheme.
A Community responder group in Emsworth will provide invaluable support to
the professional ambulance service when dealing with life threatening
incidents and give vital clinical care. The first few minutes following a
cardiac arrest are absolutely vital in saving life and volunteers aim to be
at the patient's side within 5 minutes of being called. Community Responders
are trained in the use of a defibrillator for without this piece of
equipment the chances of survival decrease by 10% for every minute that goes
by.
Janet Barradell. a respected and well-known local resident, is doing a
terrific job convincing those showing interest, about the vital benefits of
supporting patients in the first few minutes following a heart attack or
other life threatening conditions. We now have 18 volunteers and a scheme
coordinator and as soon as the necessary statutory cheeks have been
completed, they will go to Winchester to undertake training in the use of
the defibrillator and learn other basic life support techniques.
At the same time as the search for volunteers goes on. we an- also seeking
financial help from community groups and individuals u> fund the scheme.
Whilst the training given by Hampshire Ambulance Trust is free, each
communily has to buy all the medical equipment, including at least one
defibrillator. We are advised that a minimum of £2.000 is required to get
going and another £400 to cover annual running costs. Small amounts when set
against the life saving potential of the scheme!
Thanks to the generous support of Rotary Havant, the Emsworth Residents' and
Business Associations. Mrs. Jo Thomas and her friends and oilier groups and
individuals, funding is falling into place and the scheme becoming a
reality.
Co-op supports Community Responders
Under the scheme, each local community votes for the charity that will
receive 3p out of every £1 spent in their Co-op store when a card is
presented at the till. This time round Emsworth has voted for Community
Responders to receive the money. So get your card from the Co-op and start
earning those 3ps.
Please do consider becoming a Responder. no previous medical experience is
required and the training is straightforward and enjoyable
If you would like to make a financial contribution to the scheme however big
or small, please contact Janet on 01243 43430289 or Brendan Gibb-Gray on
01243 377355.
Community Responders will be giving their time to save life in our
community, so please be generous in your support of this work.
More info at:
www.hampshireambulance.nhs.uk/communityresponders
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