SOUTH Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and Hampshire Special Constabulary are to launch a partnership aimed at saving lives.

A six-month trial has started today and will see special constables trained by SCAS being sent to medical emergencies to carry out initial lifesaving treatment for some patients while an ambulance response is en route.

The training provided by SCAS enables the special constables to carry out basic lifesaving skills, including the use of oxygen and a defibrillator.

The special constables will respond for SCAS to medical emergencies in their patrol vehicles.

Richard Tracey, community responder manager for SCAS said: “Due to the nature of their work, the special constables in Hampshire are often roaming across the more rural parts of the county. If we get a 999 emergency call saying someone is in cardiac arrest in such areas, they could be the closest medically trained person to the incident by a good few minutes.”