A pioneering volunteer emergency response scheme has expanded after a surge in volunteers ready to step in and assist the NHS ambulance service in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. The Beds and Herts Emergency Critical Care Scheme (BHECCS) has been working alongside the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) since March 2024, attending more than 500 calls, ranging from cardiac arrests to traumatic injuries.
Originally starting with a single team in Hemel Hempstead, the scheme has now expanded to include a second team in Welwyn Garden City. Tom Barker, the head of collaborative response at EEAST, explained that the expansion would allow them to respond to emergencies even faster and, in turn, improve patient outcomes.
Since its launch, the initiative has made impressive strides, responding to 530 calls across Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. In 84% of these incidents, volunteers arrived on the scene ahead of an ambulance, underscoring the scheme’s efficiency in critical situations. In total, volunteers have logged more than 3,200 hours of service, making a significant impact on emergency care.
Barker emphasised the importance of rapid response in life-threatening emergencies, saying: “In a life-threatening medical emergency, the first few minutes are vital. The sooner we can get medically trained responders on scene to start delivering vital interventions, the better for our patients.”
The Welwyn Garden City team comprises 18 volunteers, each coming from a wide array of professional backgrounds, including community first responders, police officers, and firefighters. The diversity of experience among the volunteers has been a huge asset, and the demand for help has been overwhelming.
Tom Ward, vice chair of BHECCS, shared his pride in the growing volunteer force: “We were amazed at the number of people who wanted to volunteer for us, and the huge variety of backgrounds they came from. I am proud of everyone involved in this partnership, which is making a difference in people’s lives.”
As the scheme continues to grow, it promises to further enhance emergency medical response across the region, helping save lives and improve the outcomes for patients in urgent need of care.
