Latest news with #Secamb
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Gravesend grandmother thanks staff for 'second chance at life'
A grandmother has said she was given "a second chance at life" after call handlers talked her husband and grandson through CPR when she fell Nevell, 67, suffered a cardiac arrest at her Gravesend home in November, just hours after returning from a work Christmas dinner in was reunited with the South East Coast Ambulance (Secamb) team who helped save her but said she remembered nothing from the day when she husband of 17 years, Pip, and her grandson, immediately started CPR under the guidance of 999 call handler Niamh Capeling, a spokesperson said. Mrs Nevell said: "I wouldn't be here today without my incredible husband, grandson, the 999-call handler who guided them, and the amazing ambulance crew. "I can't thank them enough for everything they did to give me a second chance at life."The Secamb team worked "tirelessly" to restart Mrs Nevell's heart before she was taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, where she later suffered two heart attacks. She spent two weeks in a coma and a total of 10 weeks in hospital before being well enough to return home. 'Quick actions' She and her husband visited Dartford ambulance station to thank the Secamb colleagues who helped to save her Capeling said: "Linda's family's quick actions made all the difference that night. "It's wonderful to see Linda looking so well and it reminds us all why we do this job."Paramedic Kelly Hassett described Mrs Nevell as "a miracle" and "a fantastic woman".The couple, who are both freemasons, have organised CPR and defibrillator training at their Kent lodges.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Child injured after being hit by car near school
A child has been taken to hospital after being hit by a car outside a school in Kent, police say. Kent Police said the child had been involved in a collision with a car at 08:45 BST on Monday near Oakfield Primary Academy in Dartford. The child's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening and their parents have been informed. A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) said crews treated the child at the scene. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Kent Police
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
South East Coast Ambulance Service exits special measures
An ambulance service in the south east of England has exited special measures following a period of "sustained improvement", it has overall rating for South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (Secamb) was downgraded from "good" to "requires improvement" following an inspection in service, which covers Kent, Surrey and Sussex, was placed into NHS England's National Recovery Support programme, which set targets for answering and responding to England described the announcement as an "important milestone" for the trust while recognising that there is "more to do to continue to improve services for patients". 'Remarkable strides' Simon Weldon, Secamb chief executive, welcomed the announcement and thanked staff for their "hard work, dedication and commitment".He said: "We have made remarkable strides, but I know we can achieve even more. "Our next step is a plan to ensure our continued improvement and to keep delivering the exceptional care our patients and our communities deserve."Michael Whitehouse, incoming Secamb chairperson, said: "Our people provide expert and compassionate care to our patients, every minute of every day and they should all take a moment today to be proud of this achievement."
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Chatham cardiac arrest survivor reunited with medic life-savers
A Kent man who had a cardiac arrest has been reunited with the off-duty nurse and medics from South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) who helped to save his Mills, 78 and from Chatham, was out in the town in October 2024 when he collapsed. He had no pulse and his heart had life was saved "against the odds" by off-duty nurse Rachael Lewis, who started chest compressions, and the rapid response of emergency crews, Secamb said."I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the incredible teamwork between the nurse who stopped to help, the paramedics who arrived so quickly, and the hospital staff who continued my care," said Mr Mills. 'CPR truly saves lives' Ms Lewis said she found Mr Mills unresponsive and recognised the signs of cardiac arrest before immediately starting chest compressions, keeping oxygen circulating to his brain and vital organs until help Lewis added: "Thanks to my partner who is CPR-trained, and all the members of the public that stopped to help us, alongside colleagues from Secamb and the emergency services, we were able to deliver effective CPR to save Chris's life."Within minutes of the 999 call, nine members of Secamb were sent to the scene, including community first responder Jade Clabon said: "The actions of Rachael that day gave Chris the best possible chance of survival and it's a reminder of why everyone should know CPR, as it truly saves lives."Mr Mills was stabilised and taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, where he made a recovery. Now, Mr Mills and his wife Brenda are determined to encourage more people to learn CPR so that others can have the same chance he did.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CPR from the public saves 300 lives in single year
Members of the public in the South East have saved more than 300 lives in a year by knowing how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Some 307 people in Kent, Surrey and Sussex who went into cardiac arrest survived for at least 30 days after being resuscitated. Kirsty Finch, from Hadlow in Kent, used CPR on her husband when he went into cardiac arrest in December, having been trained in the procedure just four weeks earlier. "I'm so glad I took the course as it gave me the confidence to act in those critical moments before the teams arrived," she said. South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) is urging more people to learn CPR to "significantly increase a person's chance of survival". There were 2,172 occasions where the public used CPR in attempts to resuscitate people having a heart attack across the region in the 12 months from March 2023-March 2024, according to the latest figures. It means the area covered by Secamb has a public CPR success rate of 11.5% - the highest rate recorded by any English ambulance service and an increase of 2% on the previous year. Dan Cody, interim deputy chief medical officer and consultant paramedic for Secamb, said: "It can take a whole community to save a life and the public, our volunteers, my colleagues and our expert hospital teams are all vital links in the chain of survival. In-person CPR training is available throughout the UK from multiple organisations. The British Heart Foundation and the Resuscitation Council UK also offer CPR training online. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Daughter, 3, learns life-saving CPR to help dad Record number of callouts for air ambulance Charity plans to install dozens of defibrillators British Heart Foundation Secamb
