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People in the East of England calling 999 for a cardiac arrest will now get live video help from trained paramedics while they wait for the ambulance to arrive. The paramedics will guide them in real time through CPR using a video link sent via text, without needing any app. This new system is being tested by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) and follows a similar Danish trial that showed better hand placement and compression quality with visual guidance.
Each year, EEAST attempts resuscitation on around 3,500 patients and manages to restart over 1,000 hearts. But quick CPR by bystanders is key. Survival drops 10% for every minute without chest compressions. Most cardiac arrests happen at home, so teaching everyday people how to help loved ones can save lives. The video call lets paramedics actually see what’s happening and give corrections right away, which can be more effective than phone instructions alone.
The pilot covers Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. The tech runs on the GoodSAM video platform, where the caller just taps a link in a text and is instantly connected to a paramedic who can see and guide them.
Callers are shown how to place their hands, how deep and fast to push, and even how to use a defibrillator. The system works best when one person does compressions and another holds the phone. It’s also helpful for people who feel anxious or unsure, allowing them to act quickly and confidently.
The project is funded by EEAST’s charity and a £142,000 NHS Charities Together grant. Experts hope it will increase CPR quality and reduce fear, leading to better survival. Community responders and air ambulance teams are helping deliver this training remotely, making it more likely that someone will survive a cardiac arrest before the ambulance even gets there.
