App helps more than 260 cardiac arrest witnesses in Essex

A support service, which includes the use of an app, for people who witness out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) in Essex has helped more than 260 bystanders in its first year.

Developed at Basildon Hospital’s Essex Cardiothoracic Centre, RescQ supports people who witness or respond to a cardiac arrest, whether performing CPR, calling emergency services, or witnessing a  resuscitation attempt.

It 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.

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.”

The platform offers practical guidance, reassurance, and experiences from people who have been through similar situations. The RescQ website has had over 6,000 views since its launch and positive feedback about the resources and video content.

The service also offers personalised follow-up through a dedicated liaison officer for those bystanders needing extra support.

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 people perform CPR or use a defibrillator to ensure 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 videos more widely through platforms such as YouTube, with captions in several languages to ensure support reaches diverse populations.