AN EMERGENCY response scheme has been launched in Ipswich town centre today to provide aid to patients before an ambulance arrives.The Urban Responder Scheme will give volunteers training in basic life support and defibrillation.

AN EMERGENCY response scheme has been launched in Ipswich town centre today to provide aid to patients before an ambulance arrives.

The Urban Responder Scheme will give volunteers training in basic life support and defibrillation.

The scheme has been set up by East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust and is based on research that a heart attack victim has a greater chance of survival if a series of events take place in a set sequence.

If early access, resuscitation and defibrillation are received, the chance of survival is greatly increased.

With improved public awareness and community based defibrillation, the pre hospital survival rate improves to between 25 and 30 per cent.

All volunteers for the scheme are members of the East Anglian Ambulance Service Ambulance Support Scheme and other Community Responder Schemes near where they live.

They will be released from their place of employment in the event of an emergency and will initially be available between 8am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The scheme may be may be expanded after a six-month trial period.

All of the first aid and resuscitation equipment will be purchased with money raised through donations.

Any business wishing to sponsor the scheme can contact Mark Deer on 01473 631997 or Julie Ashford on 01473 283743.