Newsroom
May 2008. We ran a Publicity day at Sainsbury's in Maidenhead. It was a three-pronged approach - firstly to raise awareness of what we do as, unless you have needed us, it is unlikely that you will have heard of us. Secondly, to raise some funds for our Group. Finally to recruit new members.
We succeeded on all three counts, so many thanks to all who helped and to everyone who took the time to stop and talk to us and put money in our collectin tins. £188 was raised, about a thousand leaflets were handed out and we collared a few new recruits.
Thanks also to Sainsbury's for letting us use its Foyer.
Pictures courtesy of the Maidenhead Advertiser
February 2008. Focus on First Aid Magazine has run a full-page article on our 'win'. Click here to visit the magazine's website (you'll have to purchase a copy to read the article, though!)
Thursday 29th November 2007. We've done it! We have won the 'Contribution to the Community' Award in the 2007 Royal Borough of Maidenhead and Windsor Community and Business Excellence Awards.
These Annual Awards recognise Excellence in a number of Categories and are judged by an independent panel of the Great and Good in the area. This recognition should bring much needed publicity to the scheme as well as opening some doors to some funding. Congratulations to all involved - the Maidenhead Responders (Andy, Bill, Cheryl, Paul and Rob) and the SCAS Staff who have Trained and Managed us, notably Hugh, Steve and Ian. Click here for photos
November 2007 Maidenhead has been shortlisted for a Service to the Community Award spearheaded by the Maidenhead Advertiser.
This Award recognises the effort put in by us for the benefit of the Community at large. Over the last two years we have responded to over 150 requests from South Central Ambulance Service and in approximately half of those, we have arrived before the Crews and been able to commence life saving or life enhancing treatment.
The Ceremony is at the end of the month at Ascot Rececourse, so we're dusting down our frocks and frills. Watch this space to hear how we get on!
June 2007 Maidenhead has its 100th call-out
Maidenhead went Live in November 2005. Since then we have received about
2 calls a week on average and have now stormed past the 100 callouts
barrier. Think about it. We get there before the Ambulance crews, on
average, about half the time. Some of those times have been for Cardiac
Arrests where minutes and seconds count. Some of those times have been
for serious conditions, where early application of Oxygen can improve
the outcome. Some of those have been TLC roles, reassuring the casualty
until the cavalry arrives. Whilst we have not yet definitively saved
any lives in Maidenhead, we have improved the chances of a good outcome
for a lot of patients and, in a couple of cases, have managed to help
keep someone alive for a bit longer in order to say their 'goodbyes'
properly. This is down to a good team, good training and a good relationship
with the Technicians and Paramedics that work with us. Pats on the back
to the team, the Trainers and the Crews that put up with us. If, after
reading this, you are interested in becoming a part of the Maidenhead
team, get in touch!
March 2007 Maidenhead more than doubles in size!
Following successful training. we are pleased to welcome four new recruits to the Maidenhead teams. We are now averaging over 12 hours a day coverage, often with two teams available. One or two of the more enthusiastic ones have now tried the odd overnight shift - so far no callouts, but one day (night?) it will happen.
Welcome to Paul, Rob, Bill and Chris.
March 2007. Eastern Regional Pre-Hospital Care Conference and Exhibition 2007.
The conference is
open to medical professionals, emergency service personnel, first responders and first aiders in the area. The conference is on the 15th September 2007 on the subject of Bomb blasts, Bullet wound injuries, Burns and local lessons at Major Incidents, in Colchester, Essex.
For more information, click here to go to the pre-hospital care website.
Click here to view the flyer for the conference (you will need Acrobat Reader to view this)
December 2006. In the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, JB is successfully resuscitated by the use of a portable defibrillator. With the permission of Pinewood Studios, Berkshire has launched its 007 Community Responders campaign. Posters have been created with a 007 edge to them and are being distributed around the County. Click on the images for a better view...
27 November 2006 Alcohol abuse and the consequences of drink driving will be highlighted during the Safer Happy Christmas campaign next month.
The Safer Communities Strategic Partnership will be driving home the message that motorists should have none for the road this Christmas or risk not only endangering their own lives but the lives of innocent bystanders. To make people aware of the dangers of drink driving members of the partnership, including emergency service workers and the Council's Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), will be offering advice and information to the public on Saturday, December 2 in Charles Square, Bracknell.
There will also be the chance to try on a pair of beer-goggles which distort a person's vision as if they were drunk, watch firefighters deal with a mock-road accident similar to ones caused by drink drivers and take a look inside the air ambulance.
Paramedics will also be in the town centre with ambulances for people to have a look in and ask questions while police will be handing out crime prevention advice. Information on tackling alcohol abuse and the treatment options available within the borough will be available throughout the event - which will run from 10am to 2pm.
Jillian Hunt, Bracknell Forest DAAT Co-ordinator said: "While we would wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas this event will act as a reminder that too much of a good thing can be very dangerous. This is traditionally the time of year for office parties and drinking more than usual over the Christmas period. We want to remind everyone of the consequences of irresponsible drinking in a way that is fun and enjoyable’
Daphne Obang, Director of Social Services and Housing and chair of the partnership, said:" It is important to get everyone and especially motorists to act responsibly so the borough is a safe place for everyone to live, work and visit. With our partners including the police, ambulance service and fire service we want to make sure everyone is aware of the consequences of what drinking and driving could be this Christmas and this campaign will highlight the very real dangers of abusing alcohol."
Cllr Peter North, Executive Member for Public Protection and Services, said: "Most of us know a story of misery or suffering caused by a drink related road accident. The message this Christmas is to have none for the road. It is all too easy to take a chance and the Safer Happy Christmas campaign is intended to encourage everyone who drinks to think twice about getting behind the wheel - because the potential consequences can be really devastating."
October 2006. The British Heart Foundation "Doubt Kills" campaign
The aim of its Doubt Kills campaign is to raise awareness of heart attack symptoms, and to encourage people to call 999 when they experience them. Many people die from heart attacks or seriously damage their hearts, simply because they don’t recognise the symptoms and don’t know how to respond. People are also reluctant to call 999 because they're not sure what's wrong with them, and are concerned about being embarrassed if their condition turns out not to be so serious. This doubt means they delay making the call - and they put themselves at risk.
The BHF Campaign tells people:
* A chest pain is your body saying call 999, and
* Doubt Kills - call 999 immediately.
The campaign will run for one year until the end of October 2007 and features billboard posters, press, radio and online advertising.
For more information click here
Saturday 27th May 2006 -1200 to 1600hrs. Burnham Community Responders will have a publicity stall at Burnham Donkey Derby on Saturday 27th May 2006 from 1200hrs until about 1600hrs. If you want a chat to see what we do or watch a demo, then come along. Entrance is free and there is a Car Park nearby.
Saturday 13th May 2006 - 0900 to 1500hrs. Royal Berkshire Ambulance Trust is holding a publicity day at ASDA Supermarket, Lower Earley near Reading. The intention is to promote the Ambulance Service within the Community. This promotion will include the Community Responder Scheme, the Air Ambulance and recruitment into the Service in general. There will be a front line ambulance, a Patient Transfer Service vehicle, an Air Ambulance fuselage mock-up as well as staff from the different sections. The Walmart/ASDA group is supporting the Responder Scheme in Lower Earley and is planning on a partnership with the group and, in the future, a defibrillator within the Store.
Saturday 22nd April 2006 - 0900 to 1500hrs. Royal Berkshire Ambulance Trust is holding a publicity day in the Queensmere Shopping Centre, Slough. The intention is to promote the Ambulance Service within the Community. This promotion will include the Community Responder Scheme, the Air Ambulance and recruitment into the Service in general. There will be a front line ambulance, a Patient Transfer Service vehicle, an Air Ambulance fuselage mock-up as well as staff from the different sections. Slough Council is also hoping to provide some street entertainment. Come along and find out about the Ambulance Service and about the Community Responder rôle. UPDATE - see the photos here
Friday 17th March 2006. Maidenhead gets its second set of equipment. Maidenhead was allocated two sets of equipment in the initial allocation but only one was initially provided. We now have both which will provide overlapping coverage. If anyone wishes to join either team, then give us a call
Monday 20th February 2006 1930hrs. Berkshire is holding an Open Evening at the Ambulance Station at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough for anyone interested in becoming a Community Responder in Berkshire. You can find out what is involved, meet some existing responders and ask any questions that may be burning up inside you!
For more information, please contact Richard Davies here. Come along for a chat. No obligation - we don't bite and this is how we all started!!!
There is no need to book - just turn up:-
Wexham Park Ambulance Station
GATE 4 (in gate 4, first left and the station is on the left)
Wexham Park Lane
Slough
SL3 6LT
Friday 6th January 2006. The Maidenhead Advertiser has run an article on Responder Recruitment in Burnham
Quote: "A LIFE-SAVING venture being developed in Burnham is looking for volunteers who could make a difference in an emergency."
Click
here for the full article. Photograph © Maidenhead Advertiser.
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