Police officers across several forces in the UK have successfully helped restart the hearts of more than 100 people, thanks to the GoodSAM Responder App, a life-saving tool that alerts nearby responders when someone is experiencing a cardiac arrest.
The GoodSAM Responder App is integrated with most UK ambulance services. When a 999 call is made for a cardiac arrest, the app automatically sends a notification to registered responders in the area. These responders include NHS professionals such as doctors, nurses, and paramedics, police, fire staff, and trained first aiders, all of whom are equipped to perform CPR.
The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire (BCH) police forces were the first in the UK to integrate the GoodSAM system for cardiac arrest alerts in partnership with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST). So far, more than 500 police officers across BCH have responded to alerts, many administering life-saving CPR before paramedics arrived.
Chief Superintendent Jon Hutchinson, speaking on behalf of the three forces, said, “As police officers, we are dedicated to serving the public and protecting lives. We are delighted to have played a part in helping so many people who suffered a cardiac arrest. The outcome could have been very different if it wasn’t for the cardiac alert service and the quick actions of our colleagues who volunteered.
The GoodSAM alert system bridges the critical time gap between when a 999 call is made and when an ambulance arrives. For every minute that CPR is not performed after a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival drops by 10 per cent.
Police officers across BCH receive cardiac alerts via EEAST, and this life-saving initiative has recently expanded to include the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) and the London Ambulance Service (LAS). This allows off-duty officers living in neighbouring areas like London, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire to respond to nearby emergencies.
This milestone of 100 successful resuscitations comes ahead of Restart a Heart Day on 16 October, which aims to raise awareness of cardiac arrests and the importance of CPR.
To learn more about the GoodSAM cardiac arrest alerting platform and how to perform CPR, visit the GoodSAM website or contact your local emergency services for information.
