Heart hero given national award for outstanding care

Tuesday, 29 March, 2011

Charity recognises East Midlands Ambulance man

East Midlands Ambulance Service and British Heart Foundation Community Resuscitation Development Officer (CRDO), Pete Winson, has been given a national award for his outstanding work and care for heart patients.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) presented seven team and individual awards at its Healthcare Professionals (HCPS) Awards celebration event in London - recognising healthcare professionals
across the UK. Pete was chosen from 50 nominees for the Excellent Ambassador award.

As EMAS and BHF CRDO, Pete works to improve the provision of resuscitation in the community to increase the chances of survival and recovery for anyone suffering a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

One of his main roles is developing and supporting CFR (Community First Responder) schemes within the East Midlands - local volunteers who provide vital lifesaving care in their local neighbourhood or workplace until the emergency ambulance arrives. He also set up his own scheme of first responders
five years ago and is now scheme co-ordinator for Nuthall, Eastwood, Hucknall, Selston and Kimberley.

Together with the BHF, Pete has been instrumental in the development of community resuscitation in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire and is currently working on a project to place 100 defibrillators at venues with a high number of visitors in the East Midlands.

Defibrillators are being located at popular spots including shopping centres, tourist attractions, train stations and airports and training on how to use the defibrillators is then given to staff at each location - ensuring that help is
close at hand should someone suffer a heart attack or cardiac arrest.

Pete, 57, has long been a supporter of the BHF - having been a volunteer and ambassador for almost ten years. He is admired for his high standards of training and his work with children with disabilities, in particular young people with visual and hearing disabilities.

He said: "In my eyes, I am just doing my job, doing what I like and helping people. It was such a surprise to see my name appear on the screen at the award ceremony and I am delighted by the recognition from the BHF.

"Community resuscitation empowers local communities to make a difference and save lives, and that is what makes my job so worthwhile."

Catherine Kelly, Programme Lead for Healthcare Professionals at the BHF said: "Our BHF funded Healthcare Professionals make a real difference to heart patients across the UK. The letters we receive from patients tell us time and again that our healthcare professionals offer a vital service not only for them but for their families too.

"These awards are one way of recognising and thanking them for the fantastic work they do and the many lives they touch."
To find out more about the work of BHF Healthcare Professionals or view a video of the award winners, visit:
bhf.org.uk/professionals

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