In Lincolnshire, it’s likely the first on-scene is a LIVES Emergency Responder. These are highly skilled individuals serving the Lincolnshire community and making a difference to thousands of people each year when their life is in danger.

LIVES are nationally recognised for our work emergency response, using a unique approach to treating patients in a pre-hospital environment. If you make an urgent 999 call for help, LIVES are often first on scene. Responding to thousands of calls every year, from cardiac arrests to road traffic collisions, and the interventions we provided can be the difference between life and death.

Almost a fifth of England’s population live in rural or coastal communities. For too long they have experienced poorer access to health and social care services than their counterparts in urban areas.   From September, our statistics show that our team have attended over 15 agricultural incidents in Lincolnshire.

We have introduced a Falls Response Team and a Community Emergency Medicine Team, in additional to our voluntary emergency response, and together these vital services provide ‘in-community’ assistance in rural areas 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It’s an incredibly unique service that reaches every inch of the county.

Lincolnshire is such a vast, rural county and these services are a vital addition to the rapid response services that LIVES provides. Nikki Cooke, LIVES CEO adds, “Wherever there is a medical need, we have the experience and equipment, to bring specialist medical procedures to the patient in any rural setting. Our team are based throughout the county, which means they can be there in minutes.

“We can provide enhanced care, over and above the care accessed at you GP surgery, including blood testing and ultrasound at the scene through our Community Emergency Medicine Service. LIVES also there to ensure our elderly residents are never left alone for a second longer than necessary, following a fall, with our Falls Response Team.

LIVES is a charity that responded to over 11,000 emergency calls last year. From breathing difficulties to cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions to industrial accidents. Every one of these calls are funded by the generosity of the people of Lincolnshire. They are always looking for support, so if you can help please get in touch at fundraising@LIVES.org.uk.

To learn more about LIVES and its range of services and donate head to www.LIVES.org.uk