The contributions made by selfless volunteers who provide life-saving care in emergencies, transport patients to vital appointments, and offer a variety of other essential support are being hailed by the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST).
EEAST is thanking its army of nearly 1,000 volunteers during volunteers’ week, which begins on 1 June and runs until 7 June. They include:
- Around 900 community first responders (CFRs), leap into action to tackle medical emergencies in their area, and can often be first on the scene for incidents like heart attacks or a stroke. Their aim is to help stabilize a patient in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives. EEAST’s CFRs together attend around 25,000 emergency incidents across the region each year.
- Approximately 34 volunteer car drivers, support patients who are traveling to a hospital or other healthcare appointments.
- Four chaplains, who provide vital pastoral support to staff.
- 19 community engagement volunteers, who make sure the views of patients and the public are represented when EEAST plans and delivers its services.
90 RAF co-responders
The Trust also works with around 90 RAF co-responders, who have responded to more than 950 calls
The Trust also works with around 90 RAF co-responders, who have responded to more than 950 calls, and the BASICS (British Association for Immediate Care) charities, which are made up of healthcare staff who volunteer to help with pre-hospital care.
They include SARS (Suffolk Accident Rescue Service), NARS (Norfolk Accident Rescue Service), BEARS (Basics Essex Accident Rescue Service), and BHECCS (Beds and Herts Emergency Critical Care Scheme), and have together attended 1,374 calls last year.
selfless dedication
Lorna Hayes, Head of Community Response with EEAST, said, “The commitment and support all of our volunteers provide is second to none. We would like to thank each and every one of them for the valuable service they provide and the selfless dedication they show towards their communities.”
Tom Abell, EEAST Chief Executive, said, “Our service has been under incredible pressure over the past year and it has been remarkable to see the help provided by our volunteers. They truly are making a real difference to people in their own communities when they are in need of urgent help and their contribution cannot be underestimated. I am in awe of them and what they do.”