Richmond trains taxi drivers to deliver lifesaving CPR

Richmond has just trained a first group of taxi drivers to deliver cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) aimed at saving the lives of their passengers.

The six drivers are all from London Airport Taxis, used by Richmond to ferry patients from as far as Cornwall to take part in clinical trials. Richmond intends to offer CPR training to all 30 London Airport Taxis drivers who transport patients involved in clinical trials.

The training was led by Richmond’s Head of Acute Clinical Management, Carolina Pacheco De Amorim, who trained the group in chest compressions and the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator).

Ms Pacheco De Amorim said: “Richmond is committed to providing the best possible concierge service to all the patients who take part in our clinical trials. That means taking into consideration both their comfort and their safety at all times, even before they reach the clinic and while they are on their way home.”

She told the taxi drivers that using the AED for defibrillation within three minutes of collapse can produce survival rates as high as 50-70%. In contrast, every minute of waiting time after cardiac arrest, without CPR taking place, reduces survival chances by 10%.

Ms Pacheco continued: “Here at Richmond we have a close relationship with the taxi drivers who transfer our clinical trial participants, and it is very important to us that they know how to act in case of an emergency. These life-saving skills can make such a difference if someone goes into cardiac arrest and we plan to offer refresher courses so that the drivers can keep up their skills and confidence.”

Taxi driver Paul Mulholland said: “The training was very informative, really thorough and a bit of an eye-opener. I found the whole thing very clear, and I feel more confident now in delivering this basic first aid. I think it’s vital if you’re taking patients. You’ve got to have that background basic knowledge, and it’s great that Richmond is supplying it.”

The British Heart Foundation provides a free online 15-minute course on CPR - Learn CPR in 15 minutes | RevivR | BHF - BHF 

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