South East Coast Ambulance Service trials new pain relief for responders
Community first responders equipped with Penthrox for rapid patient care
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has launched a three-month trial across Tangmere and Worthing, enabling community first responders (CFRs) to administer the fast-acting pain relief drug Penthrox to patients with traumatic injuries.
Penthrox, a medication already used by ambulance crews, is administered through inhalation and aims to provide rapid, effective pain relief. The trial expands the use of Penthrox to CFRs, allowing them to improve patients' comfort while awaiting further medical care during emergencies.
The Trust will closely monitor patient outcomes and operational impacts during the trial, aiming to evaluate how Penthrox can benefit patients and responders at the scene of an incident.
Enhancing immediate care
Danny Dixon, SECAmb’s Head of Community Resilience, spoke about the importance of enhancing responders' capabilities:
“The trial represents an important step forward in how SECAmb supports our volunteers and the patients they care for.
“By equipping our CFRs with additional tools such as Penthrox, we can improve the immediate care patients receive while continuing to ensure safety, governance and high clinical standards.”
Future plans
Depending on the trial results, SECAmb will consider deploying Penthrox across all volunteers to enhance patient support across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex communities.
The initiative demonstrates SECAmb’s commitment to improving local patient care while evaluating safety measures and maintaining high medical standards.