Welsh Ambulance Service volunteer 999 responders part of overhaul

Jenny Rees, an accomplished Health Correspondent, delves into the essential role played by Jackie Hatton-Bell in Wales. Hatton-Bell, a dedicated volunteer, offers crucial assistance to ambulance staff by providing on-scene observations for crucial 999 calls. Her position forms part of a broader strategy introduced by the Welsh Ambulance Service, including the implementation of a new “purple” category for emergency calls aimed at enhancing patient outcomes. This move comes in response to Wales’s alarming survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac or respiratory arrests, which currently stand at less than 5%.

The dedication of Jackie and her fellow volunteer responders highlights the impact of their two-day training sessions. While not authorized to administer treatment, Jackie’s swift actions have been credited with saving lives. Through her meticulous observations – monitoring blood pressure, oxygen levels, and identifying potential stroke symptoms – an accurate diagnosis was reached in a critical instance where a patient was suffering a heart attack. Her vigilance and quick thinking have proven invaluable in the realm of emergency response.

In line with the Welsh Ambulance Service’s evolving approach, the introduction of new emergency categories – notably, “purple” and “red” – aims to streamline response times and ensure appropriate care for patients. The addition of “clinical navigators” to the control room signifies a proactive step toward improved triage processes, with trained medical professionals screening incoming calls for enhanced categorization. This strategic reorganization seeks to optimize resource allocation and prioritize urgent cases effectively.

Jackie’s transition from a background in human resources to her current role as a community welfare responder exemplifies her resilience and adaptability. Her decision to join the Welsh Ambulance Service following a life-altering health diagnosis underscores her commitment to making a meaningful difference in emergency care. The positive impact of such dedicated individuals like Jackie resonates throughout rural areas, where prompt and accurate intervention can sometimes mean the difference between life and death

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More