Last week, after an intense training period Hatzola Northwest inaugurated eight new responders to their Emergency Response Team.
The members started training in 2021, dedicating many hours every week to gain their knowledge and learning, with weekly assessments, practical scenarios and examination of their pre-hospital emergency care skills.
This training program led by Kevin Cuddon – Hatzola Northwest Clinical Lead, Advanced Paramedic Practitioner for London Ambulance Service and was enhanced by external lecturers and practitioners, brought in to lecture within their specialised areas and to give the trainees a broader knowledge of different areas of emergency medicine.
The evening was attended by Hatzola Medical Director Professor Stuart Rosen, Chairman Shloimie Richman, Rafi Weisz Trainee Program Coordinator, members of the central committee, operations manager David Vincent and Mr Laurence Blitz representing the trustees.
The new responders were presented with certificates and equipment and will now join the rest of the volunteers as full active responders. This group were the first to receive the latest rollout of the medical trauma and equipment bags, which have been two years in development and were designed to comply with all the latest requirements and legislation.
The new bag initiative was inspired and kick-started by Mr & Mrs Sammy Korc to show appreciation to Hatzola for coming to the rescue of their son Akiva during a choking episode. They raised the necessary funds privately and within the community and a large number of additional bags have also been dedicated by members of the community. Sammy and his wife Abi attended the evening and were there for the bag distribution.
The wives of the new recruits joined the evening and received words of thanks and support from the Chairman and Medical Director who welcomed them to the Hatzola family and thanked them for their ongoing support and for their commitment to helping others.
Dealing with over 5,000 calls a year, responding to the scene in under 5 minutes and with a patient satisfaction average rate of 4.96/5, Hatzola Northwest London is one of the busiest and most effective units in the UK covering Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon and Temple Fortune.
Hatzola Northwest is a 24/7 community service, operating 365 days a year to provide a swift response to medical emergencies in the immediate area. The service is provided entirely free of charge and currently provided by approximately 54 active volunteer responders, all of whom have undergone intensive training, carry radios and respond in their own vehicles.
The volunteers all carry trauma kits and BLS (Basic Life Support) bags, complete with resuscitation equipment, oxygen and defibrillators. Hatzola Northwest presently has a fleet of three active ambulances, which are used for responding to more serious calls and for urgent patient transport as required.
For further correspondence please contact Rob Taub – rob@hatzolanw.org or 07725857163
