Three calls a week for Rapid Response
2018 was another busy year for the volunteer members of Wicklow Rapid Response ( WWRR).
On average, WWRR was tasked three times a week to respond to a range of situations, including seven medically induced comas (known as RSI), over 20 cardiac arrests and 15 road traffic collisions.
As a volunteer service, Wicklow Rapid Response is a declared asset to the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
NAS will seek the assistance of WWRR when it requires the skill level of volunteer Dr Menzies, a consultant in emergency medicine, at the scene of an emergency where his skill levels can benefit the outcome for the patient.
The rapid response vehicle, a Skoda Karoq 4x4 which is sponsored by Sinnott Skoda of Wicklow town, is tracked by the NAS, in the same way that they track their ambulances.
Because of this, the National Emergency Operations Control Centre knows where the doctor is and can sometimes request him to attend a patient because he is the nearest available responder.
An example of the level of care possible happened in April when the doctor was attending a medical conference in the midlands and was requested to attend a patient who had sustained a major head injury.
Working with the NAS crews at the scene, the Advanced Paramedic and the crew of the Emergency Aeromedical Service, Dr Menzies was able to stabilise the patient by placing them in a medically induced coma, and flew with the patient on the helicopter, Air Corps 112, to Beaumont Hospital.
During the heavy snow that fell in March, the doctor was able to continue responding to calls because of the 4x4 ability of the rapid response vehicle.
Fundraising continued throughout the past year, with events culminating in the Bray Lions charity New Year’s Day Sea swim.
Donations can be made to Wicklow Rapid Response through the donate button on the Facebook and website.