App has helped over 260 cardiac arrest witnesses
In its first year, a pioneering Essex support service has helped more than 260 bystanders who saw over 200 out of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA).
Developed at Basildon Hospital’s Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, RescQ provides immediate and accessible support to people who witness or respond to cardiac arrests, whether performing CPR, calling 999, or being present during resuscitation.
Professor Thomas Keeble, founder of RescQ and Clinical Lead for cardiac arrest services in Essex, said: “People who witness, or take action, when they see someone in distress, play a critical role in the chain of survival when it comes to OHCA, but their needs have often been overlooked. RescQ was designed to ensure that support is available from the very start.
“Clinical care has traditionally focused on the patient, but growing evidence highlights the psychological impact these events can have on bystanders and everyday heroes, including anxiety, flashbacks, and ongoing distress.”
One bystander who used the service said:
I kept replaying the scene over and over. I didn’t realise how much it had affected me until I spoke to someone. Having that support made a real difference.
RescQ is integrated into the emergency response pathway, allowing ambulance clinicians to register bystanders at the scene, using an app. Individuals are offered an on-scene debrief and provided with immediate access to the RescQ website via a secure digital link.
The platform offers practical guidance, reassurance, and real-life experiences from others who have been through similar situations. The RescQ website has had over 6,000 views since its launch, with positive feedback about the resources and video content available.
For those bystanders needing extra support, the service also offers personalised follow-up through a dedicated liaison officer.
The service has been developed in collaboration with East of England Ambulance Service, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and East Anglian Air Ambulance, clinicians, psychologists, survivors, bystanders and lay rescuers - people who take action with CPR or use a defibrillator - through Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK, ensuring it reflects real-world experiences.
Dr Uzma Sajjad, developmental lead and liaison officer for bystander support for RescQ, said:
Supporting those who step forward to help is an essential part of saving lives. As RescQ enters its second year, we aim to expand the service across the wider East of England, making support available to more communities.
Plans are also underway to increase accessibility, including sharing educational video content more widely through platforms such as YouTube, with multilingual captions to ensure support reaches diverse populations.