Weston-super-Mare project develops new cardiac arrest survival research programme
By Josh Bell, Charities Correspondent
A community project supporting access to life-saving defibrillators is working with the University of Bristol to develop a new cardiac arrest survival research programme, with opportunities for final-year medical students to explore how research could improve outcomes.
Donate For Defib is supporting the programme, which will focus on areas including cardiac arrest, CPR, defibrillation, access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), simulation and community response.
The aim is to connect academic research with practical benefits for Weston-super-Mare and surrounding communities, helping improve public awareness, CPR education and understanding of access to life-saving equipment.
Each year, final-year medical students will have the opportunity to undertake research related to cardiac arrest and resuscitation as part of their studies.
Potential activities include questionnaires, presentations, simulation-based learning and collaboration with the Bristol Biomedical Simulation Centre, where appropriate.
Subject to university approvals and permissions, the project hopes to share accessible summaries of relevant findings through its website, social media and practical training activities, helping make research more widely available to the communities it could benefit.
Building on community work
The programme will be led by Josh Bell, co-founder and former project lead of Donate For Defib, alongside Professor Graham Stuart. Both are members of the Defib Experience Advisory Panel (DEAP).
Since Donate For Defib was established in August 2023, the project has developed and received recognition through multiple awards. The new initiative aims to build on that work by expanding into cardiac arrest research, education and community engagement.
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Josh continues to support Donate For Defib through his work with DEAP, maintaining the project's website, supporting events and teaching, and responding to cardiac arrests through the GoodSAM App with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
He is also a member of Resuscitation Council UK and a qualified Great Western HeartStarter Leader through Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.
Students meeting planned for October
The next step is a meeting with students at the University of Bristol on 23 October, as development of the programme continues. The team plans to share a further update after the meeting.
The ambition is to bring research, education and community action together to improve understanding of cardiac arrest and contribute to better outcomes in Weston-super-Mare and beyond.
Anyone interested in finding out more or getting involved can contact the team at **cardiacarrestresearch.wsm@gmail.com**.
The programme aims to build on the importance of CPR, early defibrillation and community resilience by helping connect research with practical action.
