Meeting a Local NHS Community First Responder
It was great to recently meet Stephen Rose to learn more about his role as a Community First Responder for the NHS East of England Ambulance Service.
Community First Responders are trained volunteers who attend certain emergency calls in their local area and can often reach patients in those vital first minutes before an ambulance crew arrives. They respond to incidents including falls at home and cardiac arrests, providing urgent care and reassurance when it matters most.
It was striking to hear just how much this relies on local people giving their time to help others. Last year, the Waveney car covered 1,300 volunteer hours and attended 414 calls, arriving first on scene to provide medical intervention in 90% of those incidents.
In some cases, they are able to support patients at home and arrange follow-up care, helping people get the right support while also easing pressure on ambulances and A&E.
Their equipment, including a falls chair, costs more than £5,000 and is funded through charitable donations. They are also fundraising to buy or hire their own marked vehicle.
Thank you to Stephen and to every volunteer for the compassion, professionalism and commitment you show people in their moment of need.
Please do donate to help support their important work here: