Last year our Hall Family Fund made a grant to North East Derbyshire Community Responders, to purchase kit and equipment to support volunteer responders in their crucial role working alongside ambulance, police and fire services.
The funding supported us over a busy and difficult year for the health service. Many in the unit volunteered throughout the Pandemic and continue to do so.
The new uniform was much appreciated by volunteers. When the grant was awarded back in October 2020 winter was closing in and with several jobs being outside they had the ability to keep dry and warm, in branded, professional and recognisable apparel.
First Responders will be with patients for anything from a few minutes to up to 3 hours before the arrival of an ambulance. In rural areas ambulance wait times can be longer (average 11 minutes compared to 7 in urban areas) – these minutes are vital to recovery and chances of survival, particularly when considering:
Cardiac arrest, major blood loss, seizures and patients struggling to breathe
The contribution from the Hall family has helped us tremendously enabling us to purchase vital equipment. Any additional funds the group raised themselves helped towards the lease our own community responder car. This is a fully electric vehicle that is big enough to carry all our level three equipment.
Since last November, four more Responders have gained a level 3 qualification, giving the group the skills to take on more responsibilities such as dealing with paediatrics, blood trauma and asthmatic patients.
They are now trained on entonox (pain relief) and can support patients with severe breathing issues by administrating salbutamol.
