Canopy Medical Services provided a medical cover team for the 2022 Richmond Dog Show in Surrey. It’s a busy, three-day event, with over 5000 attendees.
Usually, these events only require care for minor injuries or illnesses. But we have to be ready for more serious situations and, on this occasion, we were faced with just such a challenge, when a spectator suffered a cardiac arrest.
The event took place in the week of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, so there was a certain amount of shock and sadness that everyone was having to cope with, but our team responded with total professionalism, and we’re pleased to say that our initial treatment of the cardiac arrest patient meant that they were already conscious and talking, by the time the ambulance arrived to transfer them to hospital. They have since made a full recovery.
As well as dealing with that incident in the moment, we want to shine a light on what happens in the aftermath of such situations, which is as much a part of our service as providing a successful medical outcome. It’s a stressful situation for both our team and those who witness the event. In this case our first response was aided by a bystander, an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer.
Once the patient had been transferred to the ambulance crew, Jules made welfare checks on all members of our own team to ensure they were able to continue their duties. We did the same for the Show’s committee members on site, as they were understandably very shocked at the situation. When these things happen the day has to continue, but ensuring the people involved can still function minimises the possibility of further compounding issues. Finally, we advised our client on completion of RIDDOR paperwork to ensure the incident was properly documented for the relevant authorities.
After the event, we supported the organisers with quotes about what had happened to handle press attention, and wrote a commendation to the Met, for the officer who had assisted us. This might not seem the sort of thing that is part of our remit, but it is very much part of our company culture.
Please talk to us if you’d like advice in planning your event – sharing knowledge makes us all safer.