Latest news with #LondonAmbulanceCharity
BBC News
01-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Man who survived cardiac arrest on Tube reunites with paramedics
A Tube passenger who went into cardiac arrest has been reunited with the paramedics who saved his Benson, 67, collapsed in the pedestrian tunnel at Liverpool Street station as he and his wife Lorraine, 59, were on their way to catch the Elizabeth of the public stopped to perform chest compressions and used the station's defibrillator before ambulance clinicians arrived on Benson has also thanked the "good Samaritans" who kept him alive until the paramedics arrived. "It's important that Londoners aren't frightened to stop and help. It's very easy to walk past but those who step in can save lives."They can't make it any worse but they can certainly make it better. Thanks to their help I've been able to carry on with my life."An off-duty nurse, doctor and pharmacist were nearby and started chest compressions immediately while someone ran to find the defibrillator at the station. Mr Benson was then taken by paramedics to the nearest Heart Attack Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital where he had bypass Jackson Day, one of the ambulance crews who treated Paul on scene, said: "It was great to meet Paul and see such a positive outcome for him."I've worked at London Ambulance Service for nearly seven years and this was my first time meeting someone I've treated who suffered a cardiac arrest. It was a really special moment." Defibrillator deserts Mr Benson said that the defibrillator saved his is now backing the London Ambulance Charity's campaign, Heart Starters, which will work with local communities to fund additional defibrillators for the most deprived areas of the by the London Ambulance Service has revealed that dozens of neighbourhoods are "defibrillator deserts" – where there is little or no access to a life saving data has revealed large discrepancies between communities in outcomes for cardiac arrest and the availability of life-saving use of a defibrillator and chest compressions can more than double a person's chance of survival. Chair of the London Assembly health committee, Krupesh Hirani AM said the committee "recognises the necessity of improving out of hospital cardiac arrest survival by equipping Londoners with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to act in the vital few minutes before an ambulance arrives".
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Defibrillators campaign asks Londoners to host devices
"These devices are incredibly easy to operate and give people in life-threatening emergencies the best chance of survival."The device is a defibrillator, and London Ambulance Service (LAS) paramedic Sam Palfreyman-Jones is urging Londoners to host one in their communities - and save lives."A person who has a defibrillator used on them by a bystander is nearly four times more likely to survive a cardiac arrest," she used quickly they give patients "the best possible chance" of surviving a cardiac arrest, says Sam. A cardiac arrest is a serious medical emergency where a person's heart stops beating and pumping blood around the says bystanders need to act fast in the moments before an ambulance like Sam are calling on Londoners to host a defibrillator in their communities by contacting the dedicated London Ambulance Charity. This follows a £140,000 grant to directly fund nearly 60 defibrillators for local money was awarded to the London Ambulance Charity by NHS Charities Together as a result of a partnership with Omaze - and the £2.6m raised as part of the Million Pound House Draw. 'Defibrillator deserts' Sam, who is head of community resuscitation at LAS as well as a paramedic, says the grant "will really bolster the Heart Starters campaign and fund nearly 60 defibrillators for the local communities in desperate need of these devices". She adds: "I'd also like to thank everyone who took part in the draw for helping to give our patients the best possible chance of surviving a cardiac arrest."We're calling on Londoners to help their neighbours and loved ones by hosting a defibrillator in their communities."LAS analysis revealed that dozens of London neighbourhoods were "defibrillator deserts" with little or no access to a life-saving data also exposed large discrepancies in outcomes for cardiac arrest and the availability of life-saving devices. LAS said deprived areas were more likely to be in greater need of additional defibrillators.
