Cycle Response Unit (CRU) re-launched in Weymouth on the 10th July 2012

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) has announced it will once again be operating a Cycle Response Unit (CRU) in Weymouth this summer season.

The CRU, operated in previous years since 2003, is a mountain bike deployed as an additional resource within Weymouth town centre, to assist in meeting extra demand for ambulance services during the summer months due, in part, to the number of visitors to the region. This increase in demand is predicted to be more significant than ever this summer season, due to the Olympic Sailing Events taking place in the borough.

The CRU is fully-equipped with emergency equipment including airway kit, oxygen and a cardiac defibrillator, and will be staffed by qualified paramedics.SWASFT also now operates a successful CRU in Plymouth city centre.

Matt Care, Lead Paramedic based at Weymouth Ambulance Station, said, "The CRU is just one of the additional measures we have in place in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympics Sailing Events.

"Other additional resources include extra frontline ambulances, rapid response cars, motorbikes and of course additional staff. I am very pleased to announce the CRU will be operational again this summer throughout July and August, as it has the capability to access patients quickly via pedestrianised areas and road closures".

SWASFT has teamed up with Medisave, an established supplier of medical and nursing supplies based in Weymouth, to update some of its medical diagnostic equipment. The donation of the equipment, totalling approximately £600, will be used operationally by the Cycle Response Unit this summer season and beyond. The first donation from Medisave, in partnership with the equipment manufacturers, is a state-of-the-art electronic stethoscope.

"This top-of-the-range 3M Littmann electronic stethoscope will be of great use when assessing patients in noisy environments such as at a live music venue or on Weymouth Carnival day. The stethoscope electronically amplifies the sounds and even has the ability to record sounds for immediate playback".

Medisave have also kindly donated a brand new Nonin pulse oximeter, essential to help monitor a patient's respiratory status. The donated model is built to be robust enough to withstand daily use in pre-hospital ambulance situations. The third donation is a professional Riester diagnostic set.

Matt Denton, of Medisave UK Ltd, said.

"We are very pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile scheme. We have supported the Weymouth CRU on a number of occasions and being a local company we see the massive benefit the CRU will bring to Weymouth during the very busy Olympic/Summer period. We are a global organisation with branches in the US, Canada and New Zealand. Weymouth is our home town though, and we are especially proud of being able to support the local community with this donation".

SWASFT will be operating the CRU until the end of August.