BASICS Devon volunteer immediate care doctors are overwhelmed to be a delivery partner together with other community organisations to work collaboratively with Plymouth Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together over the next two years.
BASICS Devon are one of the eight local organisations that are receiving a share of £534,639 allocated to Devon as part of the NHS Charities Together Community Partnership Grants Programme - formed as a result of NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal, launched in March 2020.
The Appeal has raised over £140 million, supported by the inspirational Captain Sir Tom Moore and thousands of others.
Supporting their local community is at the forefront of BASICS Devon volunteers. The team are immensely grateful and want to thank the public that donated, NHS Charities Together and Plymouth Hospitals Charity, which have given them this amazing opportunity to expand and continue to reach sick, injured, and vulnerable patients in an emergency.
The BASICS Devon doctors are senior decision makers and carry enhanced pain relief, sedative drugs and can undertake surgical procedures at the scene. As a team of specialist doctors, there is no equivalent in Devon.
The team all have specialist training in pre-hospital medical care and respond in their own vehicles. The scheme is also launching their own emergency response vehicle that will assist the responders and be a major resource platform for education and training across the region.
BASICS Devon supports the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, working closely with emergency colleagues. On occasion additional decision making or clinical skills can be extremely beneficial, enhancing the patient journey and the care that they receive.
These funds will enable them to expand their existing specialist team to improve cover in the Western Devon and Plymouth area. They will fully equip and prepare additional volunteers physically and mentally to respond safely and effectively. Funding will enable the scheme to provide a full response kit, including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), Blue Lights installed in their vehicles and vital training courses which include, Advanced Paediatric Life Support.
Dr Lauren Weekes Volunteer Immediate Care Doctor and Trustee at BASICS Devon said, "We are indebted to NHS Charities Together and the Plymouth Hospitals fund and are extremely grateful for their support. There are significant expenses involved in setting up new volunteer responders for BASICS Devon and these funds will help us to expand our reach, and assist our communities. Our clinical work is in demand and this incredible donation means we can do more than ever"
Increasing responders, especially to central Plymouth which has some of the most deprived areas of the city, will provide people with immediate access to specialist medical care, which will help save lives and reduce long-term disability. The responders are also educators, teaching vital life-saving skills to other emergency carers.
Corinne Bailey, Charity Development Manager at Plymouth Hospitals Charity said, "We are delighted to partner with BASICS Devon through the NHS Charities Together Community Partnerships grant programme. This funding will enable the expansion of the BASICS volunteer team across West Devon and Plymouth. This expansion demonstrates just what a difference the funds donated by the public to NHS charities over the last 18 months will make. Devon is incredibly lucky to have the BASICS team of specialists who volunteer their time for free outside of their working hours. I am so pleased we can help them do more."
BASICS Devon responds day and night across one of the most rural counties in the country, some parts are over an hour’s drive from the nearest major hospital. Since January, the doctors have responded to 363 callouts, 125 of which were at night, arriving first on the scene at 28% on them.
BASICS Devon volunteers have continued to provide face to face immediate medical care throughout the pandemic. The specialist doctors are working and responding on the frontline, to reduce response times and assist the emergency services whilst still under significant pressure.
If you would like to donate to BASICS Devon or to find out more, please visit www.basics-devon.org.uk
END
Notes to Editor
About BASICS Devon
BASICS Devon is a network of thirteen emergency volunteer doctors providing immediate access to specialist medical care at the scene of an accident or illness. Making themselves available around the clock throughout the year, responding to incidents at the request of the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. The charity relies solely on donations.
BASICS Devon doctors aim to provide a fast response to incidents in rural areas and use their extensive skills to support patient care.
For further information, to donate or get involved please visit: www.basics-devon.org.uk
Contact Amie Bull, Fundraising Manager amie.bull@basics-devon.org.uk T: 01752 936299
For further information please visit: www.basics-devon.org.uk
NHS Charities Together & Plymouth Hospitals Charity
For more information contact Plymouth Hospitals Charity phcharityteam@nhs.net or call 01752 430332.
Further detail about the funding and projects here https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/nhsct-community-partnership-grants
For further information please contact the Press & Communications Office for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust on 01752 432666