£2,000 Grant Boosts Rural Emergency Care in Devon

Strategic Insights -

A team of volunteer doctors serving rural communities in Devon has received a significant grant from the Hospital Saturday Fund, supporting their vital work in pre-hospital emergency care. The BASICS charity team, which includes Dr. Simon Scott-Hayward, a GP from Chudleigh, provides 24/7 specialist emergency medical support alongside South Western Ambulance Service. With a focus on delivering advanced pre-hospital interventions and improving patient outcomes, the team has responded to 371 emergencies in 2024, with 55 cardiac arrests, and has been the first medical professional on scene in 40% of these cases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BASICS charity team, including a GP from Chudleigh, received a £2,000 grant from the Hospital Saturday Fund to support their community project in rural Devon.
  • The grant will contribute towards essential equipment, training, and volunteer support, including suction units, raptor rescue shears, and specialist bags and modules.
  • The charity team provides 24/7 specialist emergency medical support alongside South Western Ambulance Service, covering one of the most rural counties in the UK.
  • In 2024, BASICS Devon volunteers responded to 371 emergencies, including 55 cardiac arrests, with 40% of cases being the first medical professional on scene.
  • Dr. Simon Scott-Hayward, a GP from Chudleigh, is part of the network of doctors providing immediate access to specialist medical care at the scene of an accident or illness.
  • The charity relies solely on donations and has responded to 266 callouts so far this year.

Statistics:

  • £2,000: The grant received from the Hospital Saturday Fund.
  • 371: The number of emergencies responded to by BASICS Devon volunteers in 2024.
  • 55: The number of cardiac arrests responded to by BASICS Devon volunteers.
  • 40%: The percentage of cases in which BASICS Devon volunteers were the first medical professional on scene.
  • 266: The number of callouts responded to by BASICS Devon volunteers so far in 2024.

Sources:

  • "£2,000 grant boosts rural emergency care in Devon," Mid Devon Advertiser, no date (https://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/exminster-charity-smashes-360-mile-fundraising-walk-goal-832087)
  • Read More (https://www.middevonadvertiser.co.uk/news/exminster-charity-smashes-360-mile-fundraising-walk-goal-832087)