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Do you have what
it takes to save a life?
NORTH West Ambulance
Service NHS Trust (NWAS) is looking for volunteers to join our
Merseyside Community First Responder Teams (CFR) to assist in
providing life-saving help to local residents.
In particular, the Team is looking for residents from Rainford,
Eccleston and Windle.
CFRs work as part of a local team on an on-call basis. Equipped with
defibrillators, oxygen and first aid kits, they are sent to certain
emergency calls by the ambulance service's emergency operations
centre.
As they are based within their local community, they are often able
to get to the scene of an emergency first and provide critical care
before paramedics arrive. This can be crucial in situations such as
cardiac arrests, where minutes may make the difference between life
and death.
NWAS's Community Resuscitation Manager for Cheshire and Merseyside,
Robert Hussey, said:- "None of us know who will suffer a
cardiac arrest, have difficulty with breathing or sustain heavy
bleeding.
What we do know is that when such a life-threatening condition
occurs it is the simple things that save lives including the type of
assistance available and the speed of response which is why we use
community first responders.
We are appealing to people living in these areas to volunteer to
become Community First Responders and to agree to be trained and
dedicate some of their time in helping their local community. No
previous training is needed.
The training teaches volunteers how to do deal with patients
suffering from life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest,
chest pains, difficulty breathing, allergic reactions, diabetic and
epileptic collapse and choking. People can commit as much or as
little time as they feel able, ideally a minimum of 4 hours a week.
This is a voluntary role and can be incredibly rewarding, you really
could save a life!"
A CFR needs to be extremely reliable, good under pressure, able to
remain calm in emergency situations, be caring when dealing with
patients and have a good level of physical fitness. CFRs must have
the use of a car and will be required to have a criminal records
bureau check. While a responder is on call they can continue with
their normal day to day activities but must be ready to attend a
call should one arise.
NWAS has one of the largest and longest established CFR schemes in
the country. There are over 1600 active CFRs shared between
approximately 140 teams throughout the region. If you are interested or would like to find out more visit:-
nwas-responders.info or call Janet Graham on:- 0151
261 2566.
CFRs travel under normal road speed and will not be sent to
incidents considered dangerous, such as an assault or road traffic
accidents.
Community First Responders can, and do, save lives. |
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Drop-in foot
clinic for diabetic patients launches
SOUTHPORT and Ormskirk
Hospital NHS Trust is launching a drop-in foot clinic for diabetic
patients. The pilot clinic will run on Monday mornings from 2
December 2013 for 8 weeks. The clinic is specifically for diabetic
patients who have a break in the skin, redness, swelling, pain or
possible infection in the foot that they feel cannot wait to be
seen.
Tim Caslake, Podiatrist Team Leader, said:- "We keep a close
eye on our diabetic patients' feet because there is often a link
between the health of their feet and their blood sugar levels. There
can also be problems if cuts, redness, swelling, pain or infection
in their feet are left for too long without treatment. By holding
these drop-in sessions we hope to provide timely, efficient care and
relief for the patient and possibly prevent a trip to the hospital." The
clinics are open to diabetic patients only and will be held on
Monday mornings from 2 December 2013 to 20 January 2014 between
8.45am and 11am at:- Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing in Houghotn Street. There is no need to book, simply turn up between
8.45am and 11am on the day. If the pilot is successful it is hoped
the clinic be rolled out to other locations. Patients wishing to attend the clinic should bring a current list of
medications. Attending the drop-in clinic will not affect the
waiting time for future routine appointments.
Warm welcome for
people in need
PEOPLE living in poverty
are being helped to stay warm this winter; thanks to a scheme to
reuse seized counterfeit clothing and bedding.
Goods, confiscated by Trading Standards officers, have the fake
labels removed and are rebranded by the charity, His Church.
Now rebranded clothes and footwear are to be distributed to people
in need in the Lodge Lane area to help them cope with the winter
months.
Advocates from the Healthy Homes team, who have been carrying out
home safety and wellbeing surveys in the area have raised concerns
about the safety of some residents living in extreme poverty
including those who are not eligible to claim benefits.
With rising fuel costs there are fears over some residents' ability
to stay warm during cold weather.
So to ensure that those at risk at least have adequate clothing and
footwear Healthy Homes, His Church and Harthill Youth Service have
arranged for rebranded items to be handed out. Items donated in
response to an appeal from Healthy Homes and Harthill Youth centre
will also be available.
This will take place on 21 November 2013 (2pm to 4pm) at the United Reformed
Church, Earle Road. Safety and health information and advice will
also be given.
People from the Lodge Lane area are invited to attend the event.
Local Councillor Tim Beaumont said:- "As we face winter, the
hard work of the Healthy Homes team is needed more than ever. The
community support work they're planning along with Trading Standards
and the team at Harthill Youth Centre will help families stay warm
and safe."
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