Latest news with #resuscitation
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
East of England Ambulance 999 callers to get CPR video help
People calling 999 in the East of England to report a cardiac arrest will be the first in the UK to be offered live video support from advanced the call, staff in the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) control room will coach them on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) via a video streaming follows a successful trial in Denmark that improved the bystanders' hand position and the speed and depth of Council UK said when resuscitation was attempted following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, fewer than one in 10 people survived to hospital discharge and EEAST hopes the pilot will improve survival rates. Liam Sagi, an advanced paramedic, said survival had not "really changed in 40 years".EAAST serves Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and said it carried out resuscitation on 3,500 patients per year and its crews could restart more than 1,000 of the hearts of those patients, but that bystanders were resuscitation immediately could quadruple the chances of survival, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Sagi said the public needed to know what to do."We know that less than half of the public have learnt CPR and for every minute that goes by without getting CPR, your chances of survival drop by 10%," he said. Bystanders do not need to download an app. During the 999 calls, paramedics send a text message to them via the GoodSAM video caller clicks on a link within that message to initiate the video while they are still on the caller and paramedic can see each other them in the two-way video said this allowed the paramedic to assess the situation visually and provide guidance on CPR technique until the ambulance service arrived. Mr Sagi said: "We know that our call handlers do a fantastic chance of coaching people through CPR over the telephone but there are trials internationally that show we can really improve the quality of the CPR delivered."He said they would be looking at things like hand position and chest compression depth."We want to understand if this helps people in really traumatic situations. Does it help confidence? Does it help improve quality of CPR, and does it help the person process things after it's happened?"EEAST said video streaming worked best when there was more than one bystander present, so that one person could hold the phone while the other performed CPR. It said success would depend on video connectivity and the person being familiar with video calls. John Newman, a community first responder from Epping, Essex, said: "Sometimes when we arrive, folk are so nervous they might hurt the person on the floor, they just stand back and watch apprehensively."If they're already lying there, they're already in a life-threatening situation, so they should just get on and do it."Essex and Herts Air Ambulance is helping to provide critical care paramedics for the scheme. Dr Gareth Grier, associate medical director said: "Every day we see cases where high quality CPR has made a life-changing difference to patients."This project will make sure that every patient gets the best chance of a good outcome."NHS Charities Together has funded the scheme with a £142,000 grant. The video stream will also be used to coach bystanders on how to use defibrillators Newman said some people were "very apprehensive" about using one, but that that the quicker they used it, the more likely they were to save a life."The video will overcome the apprehension right at the beginning," he said."Our call handlers will tell you where the nearest defibrillator is. Someone else can go and get it, while you carry on with the chest compressions."The out-of-hospital cardiac arrest desk will run four days a week, from 07:00 to 19:00. Follow East of England news on X, Instagram and Facebook: BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire or BBC Suffolk.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Tragedy at Scottish beauty spot: Woman, 63, dies in front of 'distraught' crowd
A 63-year-old woman died in front of distraught onlookers yesterday at a Scots beauty spot. Emergency services raced to the Campsie Glen Waterfall Car Park, an area popular with swimmers and paddlers in the hills above Glasgow, after reports of a woman falling. The multi-agency response was attended by police, fire and ambulance crews, who sealed off the car park to attend to the incident. According to eyewitnesses, paramedics tried to resuscitate the woman in front of other day trippers who had arrived at the spot on the hottest day of the year. Last night it was unclear whether her death was related to the high temperatures in the area. One onlooker said: 'There was a lot of people crying at the scene. 'The police and ambulance service are there. 'I think a specialist climbing unit had also been there earlier.' Shocked visitors could be seen gathered near the falls, which are accessed via a footpath which rises around 200m. One witness said: 'There were at least seven police cars and officers were going around taking statements from people. They all looked distraught.' The car park is located just a few minutes from the town of Lennoxtown, in East Dunbartonshire, and operated by Forestry and Land Scotland. Recognising its attraction to visitors, the government agency website states: 'From the pretty village of Clachan of Campsie, with its historic church, wind along grassy slopes into the Campsie Glen. 'Wander along the path beside the Kirk Burn, or stop for a feed at one of the many picturesque picnic spots beneath the trees. 'For a more energetic outing, follow the path behind Clachan of Campsie that forks steeply uphill from the burn to reach a car park on the B822 with lovely views into the glen. 'From here you can choose a path around the hill to see waterfalls along the burn below or carry on climbing along a steep, rough trail to reach the ridge of the Campsie Fells above.' A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Around 12.35pm on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, police received a report a 63-year-old woman had fallen near Campsie Glen Waterfall Car Park. 'Emergency services attended and the woman died at the scene. Her family is aware and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances. 'Emergency services remain in attendance.' On the other side of the country, in East Lothian, a man's body was recovered from the River Tyne near Haddington just before noon. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Around 11.45am on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, police received a report a man's body had been found in the River Tyne, near Sidegate, Haddington. 'Emergency services are in attendance and enquiries are ongoing.' Again, it was unclear last night whether his death was weather-related.
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Douglas Chamberlain obituary
If you had a cardiac arrest before the 1970s, an ambulance might arrive quickly, but almost all its crew could do was transport you to hospital, where your treatment would begin – if indeed you survived the journey. The cardiologist Douglas Chamberlain, who has died aged 94, realised that in order to start resuscitation in the vital five-minute window after the heart stopped beating, the ambulance crew needed the tools and skills to do it themselves. Chamberlain's initiative laid the foundations for the paramedic profession nationally and internationally. Working from a district general hospital in Brighton, he set up an intensive training programme for ambulance crews, equipped ambulances with defibrillators and electrocardiogram (ECG) machines, and demonstrated through a series of rigorously documented studies that the service saved lives. The only other city in the world where non-medical professionals were using defibrillators at the time was Seattle in the US. Not content with training health professionals, he taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to more than 100,000 volunteers from his community in East Sussex, and deployed them to carry out tests of the automatic defibrillators that became available from the 1980s. He was the principal consultant to the Department of Health when it rolled out its first experimental programme of defibrillators in public places between 2000 and 2002. It showed that members of the public could respond as fast as healthcare professionals, and that they saved many lives. In 1971, soon after taking up his first consultant post as the sole cardiologist at the Royal Sussex County hospital, Brighton, Chamberlain had the experience of losing a patient even though the ambulance had arrived in good time. In the face of scepticism from his medical colleagues, he decided to take responsibility for resuscitation away from doctors and give it to the people who would reach a patient first – the ambulance crews. He trained them to intubate patients and give intravenous injections as well as take ECGs and administer shocks from a defibrillator. In his hospital he created the role of resuscitation training officer, who ensured that nurses and other hospital staff were equally able to respond to a cardiac emergency. Every hospital now has at least one. From 1973, ambulance services in the UK were transferred from local authorities to the NHS, and Chamberlain was instrumental in ensuring that what were first known as 'extended trained ambulance staff' were high on the agenda. In 1984 the University of York published a report, commissioned by the Department of Health, showing that there was a compelling case for a national paramedic service, with standard training packages delivered by regional ambulance training schools. Piloted in various regions, the service was gradually rolled out across the country. Paramedics were officially recognised as allied health professionals in 1999. Chamberlain went on to develop the further training of paramedics as practitioners in emergency care, who would carry out tasks such as taking histories and prescribing that were previously in the hands of doctors only. He combined a powerful drive to get things done with an ability to build coalitions to take his ideas forward. In the 1970s he found that training in resuscitation in the community was a piecemeal affair, with organisations such as the Red Cross, St John's Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation setting their own standards. Over a drink, he brought together colleagues from other specialties, including anaesthetics and emergency medicine, to found the Community Resuscitation Council, later Resuscitation Council UK. The council ran conferences and published guidelines that achieved consensus across the specialities on how to approach patients who had collapsed. He went on to do the same for Europe, recruiting like-minded colleagues to set up the European Resuscitation Council. His anaesthetist colleague and friend the late Peter Baskett credited him with 'masterly persuasion and diplomacy' in finally bringing the world together through the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (Ilcor). Born in Cardiff, Douglas was the eldest of three children of Roland Chamberlain, a coal merchant, and his wife May (nee Meredith), who looked after the home. He had two sisters, Liz and Polly. Douglas's profound dyslexia (then unrecognised) caused him to fail at school until the sympathetic guidance of a teacher at Ratcliffe college in Leicester, where his parents had sent him as a boarder, enabled him to win a place to study medicine at the University of Cambridge. He went on to qualify in medicine at St Bartholomew's hospital in London in 1956. There he met a fellow student, Jennifer Ellison, and they married in 1958. After some short-term training posts, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1959 to do his national service and was posted to Germany, his service ending in December 1960 with the rank of acting major. He and Jennifer had four children in four years, the family settling initially in Highgate, north London. Between 1962 and 1970 he returned to Barts and began a programme of research on heart rate and rhythm, investigating pacemakers and drugs. During this time he spent a year as a research assistant at the Massachusetts General hospital in Boston, a formative period in developing his interest in innovative treatments. Chamberlain was among the first to test the effects of beta blockers on heart rate in both healthy volunteers and cardiac patients, and to conduct trials of the drug amiodarone in patients with heart arrhythmias. Both classes of drug are now in regular use in heart patients. In 1970 Chamberlain took up his consultancy in cardiology at the Royal Sussex, where he continued in an honorary post after his retirement in 2000, and remained honorary medical adviser to the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS foundation trust. In 1996 he also accepted an honorary professorship of resuscitation medicine at the University of Cardiff, where he led a research team, continuing to publish prolifically and tour the world to give lectures. The book Cardiac Arrest: The Science and Practice of Resuscitation Medicine, a massive tome that he co-edited with four colleagues, won the 2008 British Medical Association prize in cardiology. Chamberlain received many other awards, being appointed CBE in 1988. His work ethic was legendary. Equally committed to patient care, research and teaching, he regularly worked till past midnight. His 'good citizen' roles included chairing the governors of his local primary school as well as numerous professional committees. Yet he always had time to offer wise advice to anyone who asked him for help. He is survived by Jennifer, his four children, Mary, Frances, Peter and David, nine grandchildren and his sisters. Douglas Anthony Chamberlain, cardiologist, born 4 April 1931; died 22 May 2025
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Mother whose baby died five days after birth satisfied ‘fair and just process' followed with second inquest
A mother whose baby died five days after birth has said she is now satisfied that a 'fair and just process was followed' after a second inquest into his death examined previously undisclosed evidence. Claire Cullen, who cofounded Safer Births Ireland, secured evidence surrounding concerns over equipment used in her son Aaron's resuscitation after he was delivered by emergency Caesarean section at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in May 2016. This evidence, which she obtained through freedom of information requests, sparked a fresh inquiry as it was not made available to an initial inquest which returned a narrative verdict in 2019. A narrative verdict was returned by coroner Dr Myra Cullinane on Thursday for a second time, incorporating the new evidence, before she recommended that all information relating to a death being investigated by a coroner 'be disclosed in full and at the earliest opportunity'. READ MORE Dr Cullinane said the recommendation was made 'to prevent anyone else from going through what we have had to go through'. Providing new evidence, nurse Elaine Sheehy told the inquest on Wednesday that the flow of gas through a 'Neopuff' resuscitator used to provide oxygen to Aaron during his first 11 minutes of life was at a low level until she arrived. Unable to breathe after birth, the Neopuff resuscitator was used between two failed intubation attempts. He was ultimately intubated at 21 minutes of age once a paediatric consultant arrived. Ms Sheehy also recalled a full-term mask being used which was too large for Aaron, who was born at 35 weeks. After corrective actions, Ms Sheehy said Aaron's heart rate improved and the machine began to record oxygen saturation. However, the inquest heard on Thursday that Aaron was 'already in extremis' immediately after his birth, and had been suffering from severe and persistent pulmonary hypertension, a condition in which a baby fails to transition from antenatal circulation. This, which was noted as being caused by systemic thrombosis, was the ultimate cause of his death. Dr Paul Downey, a consultant perinatal pathologist, said thrombosis found in Aaron's left kidney was heavily calcified suggesting it was 'well established' before birth. The systemic thrombosis was noted as being in association with a non-lethal mitochondrial disorder, from which the inquest heard just 30 people are known to suffer worldwide. Dr Downey said it was unclear whether there was an issue with oxygen delivery during part of the resuscitation; however, if that was the case, it was his opinion that it did not cause his death. 'That's not to say it didn't have any effect, but I don't think it caused his death,' he said. Before a verdict was delivered, Fiona Gallagher, counsel for the family, said the failure to disclose Ms Sheehy's concerns as evidence exacerbated the 'trauma and distress' the family has suffered. Counsel for the HSE, Luán Ó Braonáin, submitted that evidence heard this week points to a death of natural causes, saying it would be in the discretion of the coroner to find such a verdict. Speaking outside the court, Claire Cullen said her nine-year fight has 'finally reached a conclusion'. She said her son's rights were 'hindered and impacted throughout every investigative process' into his death. Ms Cullen believed if she had not sought further information, 'it would have never been disclosed to me'. 'Six years ago, we left the coroner's court with more questions than answers,' she said, adding that she is now satisfied it has had the opportunity to be fully investigated. 'Today, I leave the coroner's court knowing that I did everything in my power to offer my son the dignity and respect as a human being that he deserved,' she said.
Irish Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Court hears nurse raised concerns that flow of oxygen at low level for first 11 minutes of baby's life
A nurse who was involved in the resuscitation of a baby who died five days later has said she was 'extremely concerned' after finding that oxygen flow through respiratory equipment used was initially at a low level. A sitting of Dublin District Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday that nurse Elaine Sheehy raised concerns that the flow of oxygen was at a low level for the first 11 minutes of Aaron Cullen's life. Ms Sheehy, who resigned from her post at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in October 2016 and took up a post elsewhere, was on duty at the Special Care Baby Unit when she was asked to urgently attend resuscitation efforts. Aaron had been born by emergency Caesarean section on May 4th, 2016, at 35 weeks gestation. The inquest heard he was 'extraordinarily' unwell after his birth and was 'gasping' for breath, witnesses said. READ MORE He suffered from severe persistent pulmonary hypertension, a condition in which a baby fails to transition from antenatal circulation. Two attempts to intubate him after birth by a paediatric registrar were unsuccessful. Between attempts, a Neopuff resuscitator was used in an effort to pump his lungs. Aaron was 11 minutes old by the time Ms Sheehy arrived, she said, recalling the mask being used to ventilate him being too large, as it was for full-term babies. It was then switched to a preterm mask, which was readily available in the room, to ensure an airtight seal so no gas could escape. Ms Sheehy further recalled being 'extremely upset and concerned' at the fact that she had to increase the oxygen flow of the Neopuff used during resuscitation. Although she could not be certain, she said she either had to turn on the flow of gas providing oxygen entirely or she at least needed to it turn up to recommended levels. Ms Sheehy, who became visibly upset while giving evidence, said she found the fact that she had to adjust the flow 'very upsetting'. While Prof Colm O'Donnell, a consultant neonatologist and expert witness who reviewed the case for the coroner, said he could not definitively say whether or not the Neopuff gas flow was turned on, it was his opinion that it was. He cited several staff being in attendance before Ms Sheehy arrived, saying they reported checking the equipment before Aaron's delivery. He also noted that although Aaron did not breathe spontaneously, his heart rate increased from less than 60bpm to over 100bpm, which indicated the machine had some effect. Prof O'Donnell said Aaron's lungs were 'very poorly compliant', adding that it would have been 'extremely difficult' to aerate his lungs during mask ventilation as opposed to intubation, which the inquest heard was not achieved until 21 minutes after his birth. While sooner intubation would have allowed for an immediate and better supply of oxygen, he did not believe this, or a proper fitting mask from the beginning, would have changed the outcome. Ms Sheehy disclosed concerns to the hospital's interim director of midwifery, Maureen Revilles, after learning of Aaron's death, which took place at the Coombe hospital on May 9th. Ms Revilles, who said she expected Ms Sheehy to be a witness at Aaron's initial inquest due to the disclosure, insisted that she said she had to turn on the machine. This was later 'revised' to her having to turn up the flow, she said. Evidence concerning Ms Sheehy's concerns was not made available to coroner Dr Myra Cullinane at the time of the original inquest, which returned a narrative verdict. The evidence was secured by his mother, Claire Cullen, through Freedom of Information requests, prompting a fresh inquiry. An inquest verdict is due to be returned on Thursday.
