Henfield Area Response Team (HART)

We are a volunteer Community Response scheme who live and work within the Henfield area. We work in partnership with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust and respond to emergency medical calls within this area, providing vital assistance to people who are ill or injured prior to the arrival of the Emergency Ambulance.

The scheme is totally self funded and relies on the kind and generous donations from local people, businesses and organizations and fund raising events. The monies raised help purchase equipment and keep the scheme operational.

When a "999" is made within the Henfield and surrounding area an Emergency Ambulance is dispatched to the scheme. At the same time the community responder who is on duty is contacted and asked to attend. Because of the rural location of Henfield community responders nearly always arrive first and can begin to treat the patient by:

• Giving oxygen therapy
• Clearing and controlling the airway of an unconscious patient
• Providing resuscitation and heart defibrillation
• Controlling any bleeding
• Making them feel more comfortable and at ease
• Taking basic observations
• Reassuring worried family and friends and taking charge of the situation
• Using local knowledge to ensure that an Ambulance can find the location quickly

In cases where the patient has suffered a cardiac arrest, the most vital piece of equipment we carry is a defibrillator. This can be used to deliver a controlled shock to attempt to put the patient’s heart back to normal rhythm. In these circumstances the patient’s heart needs to receive a shock as quickly as possible. The quicker this happens, the better the chance of survival.

The response scheme is also deploying a number of public access defibrillators in and around the Henfield area. These are currently located at:

• Budgens
• Henfield Leisure centre
• Henfield Hall
• and the High St Dentist.

It is planned over the next few months to add a further 2 locations which will be Henfield Business Park and Swains.

In the event that you need to access a defibrillator then you can locate them by looking for this sign that will tell you where the closest machine is located.

If you’re interested in learning more about being a responder or how to use a defibrillator then please contact Tony Anscombe on 495909.

It is important to stress that in an emergency please dial 999 and get an ambulance on its way.

Donations to HART can be made online at www.henfieldresponders.org.uk or to G.W. Pearce in the village or directly to the HART treasurer Norman Rigby who can be contacted on 494826.
HART is a registered charity in England number 1104825.