PP28 Volunteer emergency responder response to the COVID-19 pandemic surge

BackgroundThe London Ambulance Service (LAS) runs an Emergency Responder (ER) scheme, where trained volunteers respond to 999 calls in blue-light rapid response vehicles (RRVs), alongside the statutory ambulance service response.The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented surge in call volume which, combined with reduced staffing of double-crewed ambulances (DCAs) due to illness, severely impaired the service’s ability to respond to calls.In response to this, as well as increasing volunteer RRV shifts, ERs were given additional up-skill training to work with regular ambulance service clinicians on DCAs, thus increasing the number of DCAs available to attend calls.This study aims to review the response to the COVID-19 pandemic provided by ERs.MethodA retrospective review was conducted of all ER shifts on volunteer RRVs and the service’s front-line DCAs. Data from the same time period (March 1 – April 30) was compared between 2019 (pre-pandemic period) and 2020 (pandemic period). The statistical significance of proportions was calculated using the χ2 test.ResultsThe absolute number of RRV hours volunteered by ERs increased by 34.2% (2,017 to 2,707), resulting in a 21.2% increase in RRV shifts (227 to 275) during the pandemic period. Furthermore, the proportion of C1 (life-threatening) incidents attended by ER RRVs doubled (32.4% vs 61.1%, p < 0.0001). In addition to RRV shifts, ERs volunteered 1,222 hours on DCAs during the pandemic, resulting in 125 additional DCA resources available. The combined total hours provided by ERs (RRV/DCA) increased by 94.8% (2,017 to 3,929).DiscussionVolunteer responders are a valuable resource during times of surge. In addition to volunteer RRV shifts, they have to the potential to assist ambulance service clinicians on DCAs. Future pandemic or winter-pressure plans should incorporate volunteer responders. This study predominantly looked at volunteer capacity, and further work is required to investigate patient-centred outcomes.