Thanks to a lot of hard work, more people are surviving than ever before

Tuesday 15th December 2015 – 10.45am – Murray MacGregor.

New figures show more people that suffer a cardiac arrest in the West Midlands are surviving than ever before.

Last year (2014-15) West Midlands Ambulance Service staff attempted resuscitation on over 4000 patients, a significant rise on the previous year. Better still, the number that arrived at hospital who were breathing for themselves (Return of Spontaneous Circulation – ROSC) rose by 223 compared to the previous year.

In total, Trust staff and volunteers tried to resuscitate 4040 patients that had had a pre-hospital cardiac arrest. Over a quarter of them, 1150, arrived at hospital with a ROSC.

Trust Medical Director, Dr Andy Carson, said: “This is a tremendous achievement and cannot be underestimated. If we look back just two years, there has been a 40% increase in the number of ROSCs at hospital. To achieve such an improvement has taken a lot of skill and hard work by staff and volunteers.

“Our research suggests that part of the reason for the rise is that staff have been able to use their advanced skills more often due to a rise in the number of members of the public who are prepared to have a go at CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) and also the increase in the number of public access defibrillators available for them to use.

“These figures are a real indication of the improvements made across the region. Please accept my thanks for all that you are doing to achieve such a result.”

Year                  Cardiac Arrests              ROSC at Hospital           Discharged
2012-13            2909                                 820                                    217
2013-14            3861                                  949                                    256
2014-15            4104                                  1179                                   340

The Trusts Cardiac and Stroke Lead, Matt Ward, added: “I’d like to add my thanks to all of the staff and volunteers involved whether on the road, in the control room or work in support roles – it is a team effort that is allowing these results to increase so dramatically.

“At the end of the day, we are making the difference between life and death – giving families possibly years of extra time with their loved one, the importance of which cannot be over stated.”

Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh added: “Please also accept my thanks. This is such good news for patients and their families. Whilst we will always strive to do even better, these figures are something to celebrate. Many congratulations.”
Ends