College base for cycling paramedics

Paramedics in Cambridge are now using a bicycle to beat the traffic congestion and improve response times with the introduction of a Cycle Response Unit based at Sidney Sussex College, opposite Sainsbury’s.

Bikes ensure that medical expertise is immediately available to deal with emergencies in the heart of a city packed with heavy traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.

Oliver Robinson, one of the paramedics said: “Sidney Sussex College has been really helpful and being so central it ensures we can attend to a patient at any part of the densely packed city centre in a few minutes.”

The cycle ambulance can deal with all the same emergencies as a regular ambulance.

The fluorescent bikes are packed with a full suite of medical equipment including oxygen and a defibrillator, together with a flashing blue light and a siren.

Sidney Sussex’s Head Porter, Colin Maxted, said: “It’s great having a paramedic on hand.  In addition to dealing with patients across the city the cycle ambulance has already dealt with a College member who became unwell.”

The Cycle Response Unit is available from 8am to 6pm seven days a week. If the 3-month trial is successful this may be extended to include Cambridge’s Nightlife.

In the first few weeks of operation the Cycle Response Unit has attended to a cardiac arrest, a fitting child, road traffic accidents, and head injuries.

Oliver Robinson said ’This morning has been busy with 4 call-outs so far.  In the run up to Christmas we are expecting to become even busier and if the winter is as icy and cold as last year we will be in constant demand’.

Photos:

Oliver Robinson, Paramedic at Sidney Sussex College.

Photo Credit: C. Maxted.