LIVES OnScene: Issue Two by LIVESHQ

ISSUE 2

LIVES.org.uk

SPRING/SUMMER 2021

plus... PAGE 6

JOIN OUR SUPERHERO DAY!

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MEET OUR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY MEDICINE TEAM

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“WE WOULDN’T BE HERE WITHOUT LIVES”

/ WELCOME

FROM OUR

CEO

NIKKI COOKE

“

It’s been 12 months since we launched our LIVES magazine OnScene and much has changed as we’ve each responded to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in our own ways. I am so pleased to be bringing you our second edition with pages filled with news and stories of our life-saving work. At LIVES we are proud that we have continued to serve our communities throughout the pandemic although we know that this has been challenging for many of our responders. This year our focus is on supporting those who have taken a break to get back to responding, ensuring that all of our responders are confident to use their skills, supporting our responder groups to safely meet face to face to train as a team again, and restarting a volunteer recruitment programme to grow our army of responders across the county.

We of course look forward to meeting and seeing you again as community groups, schools and events can begin once more. We are always so humbled by the activities you do to promote the work of LIVES and raise the vital funds we need to keep our responders on the road. Thank you for your continued support, and best wishes to you all.

“

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Project Lifesaver

Superhero Day

News

Meet CEMS

The Chain of Survival

Patient Story

Community Spotlight

Emergency-Ready Schools

Remembering Jannine

Thank Yous

Parish Council Spotlight

Donation Form

ES CEO KE LIV I COO NIKK

We are also excited to bring you news of Project Lifesaver, our plans to develop an Education Centre in Lincolnshire specifically for the pre-hospital environment in which all LIVES responders operate. Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine is a challenging field and we believe our responders deserve the very best facilities in which to train and develop their skills. We want Lincolnshire to be one of the safest places to suffer a medical emergency and supporting responders at all levels to train to be their very best is key to this.

IN THIS ISSUE:

+1 2020 marked LIVES’ 50th anniversary, but a global pandemic and lockdowns meant that many of the opportunities to reach out to our supporters had been cancelled. So, one year on from 50, what does the future look like for LIVES? From 1970 to 2021, the concept is the same, supporting those in need in a 999 medical emergency. Today, just like in 1970, technology is a real focus point. Suzi Lumbard, daughter of one of our founders, Dr Cooper recalls, “In the 70’s we attended church every Sunday, sitting on the back pew, so that we could leave if Dad was called to an emergency. Every week we took the radio, cumbersome by today’s standards. Mum would often stay at home to take the 999 call, then put this through to Dad’s radio.” In 2021 we are looking to invest in technology on our smartphones, giving our lifesaving responders everything they need in one place. Providing an app that is easy to access, secure and they can carry with ease.

they are called to an emergency, regardless of where they are in the county, and of course we have plans for our exciting state of the art LIVES Training Centre.

We have also invested in online training, to ensure that responders can still remained fully skilled and confident when

In 2021 we hope to see more of our supporters face-to-face when it’s safe to do so. We are looking forward to hearing more about how LIVES makes a difference in your community and how we can work together to be here for the next 50 years.

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/ THE FUTURE OF LIVES

PROJECT LIFESAVER Over the past 50 years, we’re proud to have learned a thing or two about PreHospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM). We’ve had to. Since our inception, the rurality of our county and our growing, ageing population means there’s an everincreasing need for what we do and how we do it. From the skills we teach and the equipment we use, to the technology that helps us practice hard and work easy – we’ve always evolved to be the best we can be, and we’re recognised nationally for doing so.

This is reflected by the range of different services LIVES now provides to the community, from our Falls and Critical Care Team to our Community Emergency Medicine service. As a charity, we now have an opportunity to use our experience, reputation and skills to create something truly unique and we’d like to introduce to you Project Lifesaver. Planned for 2022, Project Lifesaver will be a state-of-the-art training facility in Lincolnshire and the first of its type in Europe. Built and managed by LIVES, it will be a world-leading learning environment for PHEM – an education facility without classrooms that will train LIVES responders,

people working in healthcare, and anyone on the front line of medical emergencies to respond to any number of situations.

will encourage responders to be the very best that they can be, be that in their clinical skills or their critical thinking.

We will use a combination of digital technology and ‘real’ stage settings to create an infinite variety of challenging scenarios to really train and test the skills of people working in the most challenging of environments. From a city street, to a rural field, an offshore windfarm, or an industrial quarry, we will be able to replicate all the challenges of the environment to create a truly immersive experience, whilst crucially keeping learners safe.

LIVES’ Project Lifesaver will put Lincolnshire on the map as being the best place to have a medical emergency, and train for one. It will also help to secure the future of LIVES by creating a source of income from private companies and public sector services.

All of the action will be captured through a network of cameras and will be able to be reviewed and debriefed to really embed the learning from each scenario. Drawing from elite sport and ‘marginal gains’ concepts, we

Chris Cole, Head of Operations and Critical Care Paramedic at LIVES, is excited for the work to begin: “Project Lifesaver is truly world-class and unique. The technology will allow the faculty to work with PHEM experts from around the world to share expertise and bring the very best clinical training and evidence base to Lincolnshire, making the county and the country a safer place.”

FIND OUT MORE

Keep up to date with Project Lifesaver by following LIVES on social media or subscribe to our emails at www.LIVES.org.uk/subscribe If you know anyone who might be able to support us on our journey, please get in touch with our fundraising team at fundraising@lives.org.uk

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/ CHALLENGES & EVENTS

/ NEWS

DRESS LIKE A

SUPERHERO FOR OUR REAL-LIFE HEROES! We think our volunteers are heroes, giving their time to be there for people across Lincolnshire when they need them most. These are everyday people doing extraordinary things in the communities they serve, and we want to recognise them and the amazing work they do. What is it? LIVES’ Superhero Day is a way for you to celebrate and support the Everyday Heroes of Lincolnshire, the LIVES responders. Getting involved is easy, all you need to do is dress like a

superhero! Don your cape, put on a mask and wear your pants outside of your trousers to show your support for the lifesavers of Lincolnshire. When is it? The official LIVES Superhero Day is Friday 16th of July, but your own Superhero Day can be whenever you choose! You can do this from the comfort of your home, at your school or in your workplace. Take a photo and share it on social media using the hashtag #SuperheroDay.

WE NEED YOU TO SUPPORT LIVES Please ask your school, club or work place to take part in Superhero Day, we recommend a donation to LIVES of £1 per superhero to help raise money for LIVES and keep our responders trained and equipped so they can continue attending medical emergencies across the county.

FIND OUT MORE If you would like to get your school or workplace involved visit www.LIVES.org.uk/superheroday or email fundraising@lives.org.uk 6

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

AT LIVES? LIVES

Innovation Award Win for LIVES LIVES was thrilled to hear we had won the Innovation in Healthcare category at the 2020 Technology and Innovation Awards! The award showcased the sector leading work of our Community Emergency Medical Service (CEMS) Team (page 8). The Team, who are unique to Lincolnshire, use their skills and industry leading technology to diagnose and treat patients in their homes or at the scene of their emergency, and help provide the very best in patient care. The Falls Response Partnership LIVES is pleased to announce the continuation of our Falls Response Unit after an initial trial. This service ensures that patients who require urgent medical attention as the result of a fall are attended quickly, assessed effectively, and supported to access appropriate onward services. LIVES has been providing the falls service for over two years with a team of responders with specialist skills in this area. They are proud to continue supporting patients across Lincolnshire with this dedicated service. LIVES helps with COVID-19 vaccine roll-out At the end of January, a team of 11 responders from LIVES joined forces with the RAF to help vaccinate those in care homes and housebound patients across the county. Over 100 vaccines were administered by LIVES over four days, helping to make an impact in getting the people of Lincolnshire immunised against the virus. It is believed that for every 20 vaccines administered, one life is saved.

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/ NEWS

INTRODUCING OUR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY MEDICINE SERVICE

RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF LINCOLNSHIRE

We know that the needs of our community are changing. The average age of our population is increasing, has more complex health needs, and more patients are living safely in the community who might have been in hospital or nursing homes in the past. Emergency medicine is also changing and evolving. Equipment and diagnostics that were only available in a hospital in the past are becoming more portable and connected, which means we can safely diagnose and treat patients in the community that would have had to go to hospital previously. 8

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At LIVES, we are proud to be continually looking to improve and evolve, to provide the best care and better outcomes for the people of Lincolnshire in a 999 medical emergency. So, what can LIVES do to support our communities further? This is where our Community Emergency Medicine Service steps in. LIVES Community Emergency Medicine Service (CEMS) ensures that the patients that need immediate attention are able to access care that is appropriate and effective.

Our team of highly trained and experienced doctors, nurses and paramedics who make up our CEMS team always put the patient and their needs first. They are experts in what they do, and their expertise means that when they visit a seriously unwell patient in their home, they can both diagnose and treat their illness so they may not have to go to hospital. CEMS Clinical Lead, Dr David Cookson, is passionate about this service and providing the best care for the patient: “What we’re doing with CEMS is innovate. It’s a sectorleading service which has both benefits to the patient and the wider healthcare system.

We can perform blood tests and ultrasounds, and therefore diagnose the patient in their own home, where they might otherwise have had to go to hospital. I’m proud to be part of this team, making a real difference in Lincolnshire.” Around 70% of the patients that CEMS sees avoid going to A&E and instead access the care that they need in other ways, including staying in their own home. But what does this mean for you and your community? Or Lincolnshire as a whole for that matter? Well, if we can ensure safe outcomes for patients within their own homes; this will have a beneficial effect on the wider healthcare system by reducing demands on hospitals and other services. Where we refer a patient we aim to get them to the right point of care first time every time, meaning a quicker and more efficient outcome for the patient.

FIND OUT MORE

For more information on CEMS and our other services, visit the LIVES website at www.LIVES.org.uk SPRING / SUMMER 2021 onscene

/ EDUCATION & TRAINING

EVERYONE HAS A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF SURVIVAL

When it comes to saving a life, everyone has an important part to play, this is what we call ‘The Chain of Survival’. By calling 999 when someone needs help, you help create that chain which could mean that someone’s life is saved.

Read a real story that shows how the chain of survival works LIVES paramedic, Brett Forman, was dispatched from home to a medical emergency to a patient in cardiac arrest and arrived just 12 minutes later. On arrival, a relative of the patient was giving good quality bystander CPR instructed by the 999-call handler. Performing CPR kept oxygen pumping around the vital organs and the heart in a shockable rhythm. This meant Brett was able to apply a defibrillator and administer two shocks to the patient. The shocks that were delivered resulted in the

patient’s heart returning to a normal rhythm and they started breathing for themselves and eventually regained consciousness. A LIVES nurse and two ambulance crews also joined Brett on scene to help support the care of the patient. The team of healthcare professionals were able to use their skills together to ensure the patient was in a stable condition so that they could be safely transported to hospital.

Brett has experienced many emergencies like this and recognises the importance of every individual: “From

the early recognition by the family, to call for help and the early CPR given to the patient, to the medical professionals who treated the patient. Everyone on scene worked collaboratively and effectively together for the best possible outcome for the patient.” Brett continued with the patient’s ongoing care and accompanied them to hospital via the Coast Guard helicopter to a specialist centre for definitive patient treatment. The patient underwent heart procedures and was discharged home within two days in good health. This emergency shows how everyone has a part to play in saving a life. Something as simple as recognising when someone is unwell or making a call for help can make a difference. Remember, it takes a team to save a life.

Our Emergency First Aid at Work course is designed so you can be a nominated First Aider within their workplace. It is ideal for those who would love to learn essential lifesaving skills to deliver safe, prompt and effective first aid should an emergency occur. For dates or further information regarding Emergency First Aid at Work or any other training contact training@lives.org.uk

The chain of survival is made up of four key links: 1 early recognition to activate the emergency services, 2 early CPR to slow the rate of deterioration of the brain and heart and buy time to enable defibrillation; 3 early defibrillation to restore the heart rhythm; 4 early advanced care to stabilise the patient.

Brett Forman 10

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/ PATIENT STORY

“WE WOULDN’T BE HERE

WITHOUT LIVES”

Our volunteers are always there. There in times of an emergency. There when urgent help is needed and every second counts. There with the big acts of heroism (and still there afterwards with small acts of kindness too). They’ll tell you it’s just what they do. But it’s more than that. When that urgent 999 call comes in, them being there can literally mean the difference between life and death. That’s why it’s so important for us to share the stories of the individuals they’ve helped. We think they tell you everything you need to know about the people that make LIVES matter and the amazing work they do. Because without our team of emergency responders, some of these people wouldn’t even be here to share their experience. This is Deborah’s story...

Lewis as a baby

Over 18 years ago, Deborah Ross was heavily pregnant with her first child when she suddenly had a seizure and

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Calm and caring. Right when it was needed most. The fit lasted about ten minutes. Deborah had stopped breathing and turned blue. Her mum managed to turn her onto her side, and she started breathing again. When Deborah regained consciousness, LIVES Doctor, Dr Simon Topham, was there.

Lewis and Debo rah

collapsed. The emergency services were contacted and not long after the call was made, a LIVES Doctor arrived at Deborah’s house. According to Deborah, it’s thanks to that Doctor that she and her son are here to tell the tale today. It was an otherwise ordinary day that Deborah will never forget. She was 38 weeks pregnant with her first child at the time and was at home with her mum. They’d spent the day decorating and Deborah had just driven to the shop to get them some lunch. After returning home, she started feeling faint.

“My mum told me I walked through the door and said, “oh mum” just as I dropped to the floor and started fitting.” Deborah tells us. Deborah’s mum ran outside to ask a neighbour for help and a 999 call was made.

Dr Topham was able to identify that Deborah was having an eclamptic seizure, related to undiagnosed pre-eclampsia that had developed in Deborah’s pregnancy. Other than her blood pressure being a little high, she had no other worrying symptoms or reason for concern. He was able to make interventions to save not only Deborah’s life, but that of her unborn baby. By her side, all the way.

“Dr Topham was amazing looking after me and my baby.” says Deborah. “He followed the ambulance all the way to Lincoln hospital and didn’t leave me until I was handed over to my consultant.”

As Deborah’s son, Lewis, turned 18, she wanted to share her story of how LIVES made a difference to her and her family.

“I can’t thank Dr Topham enough.” she says. “We wouldn’t be here today without him.” LIVES has an army of volunteer responders, like Dr Topham, who give up their time to be there for people in a 999 medical emergency across Lincolnshire. LIVES is lucky enough to still have Dr Topham as Medical Director and Critical Care Doctor today. It is only with your support that our responders can continue to support their communities by responding to medical emergencies when a 999 call is made.

Dr Simon Topham SPRING / SUMMER 2021 onscene

/ COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

/ SCHOOLS AND YOUTH

ROTARY DONATION

MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE! Throughout the history of LIVES, we have received an abundance of support from rotary groups right across the county. Earlier this year we were thrilled to receive a donation of £33,350 from the Skegness Rotary group to celebrate LIVES’ 50th anniversary. This truly incredible amount will ensure that we are able to keep responders trained and out on the road, helping the communities of Lincolnshire when they need it the most. Skegness Rotary was founded in 1934 and was lead by the founding president, William Hudson, a chemist from Skegness. Through the years they have supported a number of good causes, including purchasing a house in the town so families had the chance to spend a week at the seaside, supporting the residents of Wainfleet during the floods in 2019 and most recently delivering meals twice a week to members of their local community who were isolating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Simon York, a member of Skegness Rotary, explains why they chose to support LIVES

At LIVES we believe that everyone, young or old, should learn the skills to save a life. We’re a team of lifesavers and we want to share our knowledge to help create more resilient communities and empower people to be able to help in an emergency, that’s why we invest our time teaching communities across Lincolnshire basic life support skills. on this occasion: “Skegness Rotary Club recognise the importance of the contribution LIVES makes to the community by providing that vital response between the 999 call and the first healthcare professional getting to those in need. We want to support recruitment and training of more volunteers in the area which will support more members of the community in the future.” Darryl Towers, a LIVES responder from Skegness, expresses what this donation means for LIVES: “The donation from the Skegness Rotary to recruit new Community First Responders is simply amazing. Not only does it mean we are able to help more people when they need us by having trained responders on duty, but it will also give new responders the chance to be part of LIVES and learn new skills.”

FIND OUT MORE If you would like to know more about Skegness Rotary group and how to join you can find them on Facebook or visit their website www.skegnessrotary.org.uk 14

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EMERGENCY-READY SCHOOLS OF THE FUTURE

In other countries, teaching lifesaving skills in schools has proven to have a positive impact on survival rates. Schools offer a great environment for young people to learn, which is why LIVES has created a practical and engaging lesson plan for children in early years up to sixth form students. LIVES attends schools throughout the academic year to deliver a variety of school programmes, from how to call 999 and bystander CPR to accredited First Aid certificates for pupils and staff. There is nothing we love more than empowering children with lifesaving knowledge and skills

so they have the confidence to do something should they be faced with an emergency. With 80% of cardiac arrests occurring in the home in the UK, the students we teach could be the difference between life and death for someone they care about. Since 2016, LIVES has lead Restart A Heart Day across Lincolnshire, an annual, global campaign where organisations come together to teach young people CPR. LIVES has taught over 5,000 young people CPR as part of this campaign. Skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) are truly skills for life and educating young people is one of the most important actions when it comes to improving survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests - something LIVES is very passionate about.

FIND OUT MORE

Do you have the skills and confidence to save a life? Email zdean@lives.org.uk to find out how we can help. SPRING / SUMMER 2021 onscene

/ LEGACY & REMEMBERING

THANK YOUS

PART OF THE TEAM FOREVER AND ALWAYS Each year we recall fond memories of some of our LIVES responders who have sadly passed away. Every responder has given their time, care and dedication during our 50 years of saving lives in Lincolnshire, and each has a story to tell. This year it is with great sadness that the much loved and valued member of our LIVES community, Jannine Tempest from our Hykeham District, has died after testing positive for COVID-19. We all mourned the loss of our colleague and friend who did so much good in her lifetime. Jannine had been volunteering for LIVES since 2015 and had supported

her community through LIVES on many occasions. She gave her time to LIVES in a number of ways, from working with our Falls Response team, responding in her community when a 999 call was made and helping raise vital funds for the charity. Her unwavering support of the charity and the support she gave her district will be truly missed by us all. So far, over £800 has been donated to LIVES in memory of Jannine – an incredible amount which is a true testament to the person she was. If you’d like to donate in memory of Jannine, you can do so on our website at www.lives.org.uk/donate

Every year we are stunned by the support that we receive from the many local golf clubs all across Lincolnshire. In December LIVES was presented with a cheque from Blankney Golf Club for £2,301.41 after Men’s Captain, Kevin O’Rourke, and Ladie’s Captain, Coral Earney, both chose LIVES as their charity of the year.

/ THANK YOUS & ACHIEVEMENTS

At the end of last year, the team at Visual Print and Design set themselves the challenge of each completing 50 miles for 50 years of LIVES. They all covered the distance by walking, running and cycling, and raised an incredible £700, smashing their original target by £200!

We also received a donation of £2,946.01 from Kirton Holme Golf Club where Club Captains Richard Cambridge and Helen Fowler both chose to support LIVES through their captaincy .

Our final thank you goes to Kay Hircock, the Ladie’s Captain at Burghley Park Golf Club, who has raised an incredible £4,258.58 throughout the year.

Over the last 8 years, LIVES has been fortunate to have been supported Munch and Go, based in Horncastle. They have raised hundreds of pounds by having a LIVES collection tin on their counter to help gather much-needed funds for our Community First Responders. This dedicated support means so much to us and we send a big thank you to the team at Munch and Go!

LIVES.org.uk 16

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LOCAL COUNCILS ACROSS THE COUNTY

SUPPORT LIVES

Donation Form Our army of community-based volunteer responders give up their spare time for free, to help people in Lincolnshire in their time of need. Every year, LIVES responders attend thousands of medical emergencies, including car accidents, heart attacks and stroke. Our responders’ actions literally save lives, delivering vital immediate medical care in those critical first moments of an accident or emergency. If you’d like to make a regular donation to LIVES and join our Friends of LIVES programme, please complete your details below and post back to the address at the bottom of the form, alternatively you can make a one-off donate on our website at www.LIVES.org.uk/donate I would like to make a monthly donation of:

£5

£10

£20

Other £

Your Details: Title:

First name:

Last name:

Address: Postcode:

Tel:

Email address: We’d love to keep you up to date with our work. Please tick if you would like to opt-in to our marketing communications.

It has been well documented in the media that charities of all sizes have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, both operationally and financially. LIVES is no exception. On an operational level, it is testament to the commitment of our responders that we have been able to continue serving our communities by adopting strict COVID-19 secure protocol and personal protective equipment. As we continue to adapt to the different ways that COVID-19 has affected our fundraising, it has been humbling to receive such amazing support from our parish, town and county councillors who work tirelessly across the county to ensure the prosperity, wellbeing, and safety of their communities. Last December, we contacted over 600 councils that represent our communities across Lincolnshire with a request to support our charity during these uncertain times. We were overwhelmed with the response, with councils of all different sizes donating what they could to support our work in their area, helping us to raise over £5,000 in grants and donations. This is fantastic news and deserves a huge thank you to all that contributed! 18

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Direct Debit details: Name of account(s) holder: Bank: Sort code:

For UK taxpayers, we are able to reclaim 25p for every £1 given, at no extra cost to you. By ticking this box I confirm that I would like to claim Gift Aid on my donations to LIVES. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference

Following their donation of £250, Barrow on Humber Parish Council contacted us to say: “LIVES has been serving Barrow for many years and we are pleased to support the service you provide to the residents of our rural community” LIVES continues to face the challenges of fundraising during the pandemic, but this support helps us to train and equip our responders so they can be there for the people of Lincolnshire in a 999 medical emergency. If your parish council would like to learn more about LIVES please email fundraising@LIVES.org.uk

Account number:

Instruction to your Bank or Building Society: Please pay LIVES Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with LIVES and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.

Name of account(s) holder:

Bank:

Signature:

Date:

ID Ref: (Office use only)

Please post to: LIVES, Units 5 -8 Birch Court, Spratt Close, Boston Road Industrial Estate, Horncastle, Lincolnshire Registered Charity No. 1098364 We will send you a confirmation letter of your donation within 10 days of receiving your completed form. For any queries, please call 01507 525999.

SCAN HERE TO DONATE ONLINE

Thank you for your support. SPRING / SUMMER 2021 onscene

IN NUMBERS

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

408

NUMBER OF CALL OUTS IN 2020*

NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE

464

WEST LINDSEY

800

EAST LINDSEY

3259

LINCOLN

895

NORTH KESTEVEN

1683

BOSTON

663

SOUTH KESTEVEN

SOUTH HOLLAND

1102

1270

PLUS 193 JOBS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE BOUNDARIES! *Data is from April 2020 to March 2021

WE ARE AVAILABLE 365 DAYS A YEAR, 24 HOURS A DAY Find out more about how you can help:

fundraising@lives.org.uk LIVES.ORG.UK

LIVESHeadQuarters

@livesHQ

@lives_HQ

Registered charity number: 1098364 Company number: 4680981