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A pioneering new scheme is giving 999 callers across the East of England immediate access to specialist guidance during the critical minutes of a cardiac arrest.
The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) is piloting the initiative, which links members of the public with advanced paramedics via live video support. Using the GoodSAM platform, control room staff can establish a video link with bystanders, allowing clinicians to assess the situation in real time and provide step-by-step guidance on performing effective CPR until the ambulance arrives.
The project is backed by the East of England Ambulance Service Charity and funded by a £142,000 grant from NHS Charities Together through its £1.85m Community Resilience Grants Fund, in partnership with Omaze.
The pilot, inspired by a programme successfully trialled in Denmark, is the first of its kind in the UK. The out-of-hospital cardiac arrest desk will operate from EEAST’s emergency operations centre four days a week, 7am to 7pm, from Monday 29 September.
“Each year, our crews carry out resuscitation on around 3,500 patients and restart over 1,000 hearts. Nationally, the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest in the community and leaving hospital alive are just one in ten. Providing effective CPR as quickly as possible is crucial, and this scheme will help bystanders keep patients alive in those vital minutes before our ambulances arrive.”
Dr Simon Walsh, Medical Director, EEAST.
EEAST attended 3,351 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in 2024-25. Around 28% of patients were admitted to hospital with their heart restarted (Return of Spontaneous Circulation), but only 8.4% survived to 30 days. Survival rates increase significantly, up to 29%, for patients whose arrest is witnessed and who receive prompt, effective CPR.
“This video CPR pilot is a brilliant example of innovative projects supported by NHS charities. It could save lives by giving the public quick access to specialist advice, improving CPR quality, and offering reassurance until the ambulance arrives.”
Jon Goodwin, Head of Grants at NHS Charities Together.
The Community Resilience Grants Fund works with 14 NHS ambulance charities across the UK to support projects that equip people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond in life-threatening emergencies.
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