Carnival care

Over 700 people were treated by first aiders over the course of London’s popular Notting Hill Carnival last weekend.

More than 600 first aid volunteers from St John Ambulance – the largest entourage ever attached to this particular event – worked tirelessly over Sunday and Monday to ensure the safety of crowds and participants.

Dedicated first aiders worked in partnership with the London Ambulance Service to keep a state-of-the-art control room up and running. Over 50 vehicles across a 3.5 mile Carnival route in the capital were provided – all ready to treat individuals or transport to hospital where necessary.

In total, 218 were treated on Sunday and 30 taken to hospital, with 526 treated on Monday with 83 taken to hospital.

This year’s figures for casualties are up on last year, when St John Ambulance treated more than 500 people and transported more than 70 to hospital.

St John Ambulance provided:

• doctors
• nurses
• medical professionals
• motorbike and cycle responders
• 11 treatment centres
• nearly 40 ambulances.

The organisation works closely with the London Ambulance Service to provide joint cycle response units and 20 Forward Incident Teams (FIT) who are specially trained to work in large crowds.

Ann Cable, Commissioner of St John Ambulance in London, said: ‘Each year we work closely with London Ambulance Service colleagues and with staff from the hospitals to provide a comprehensive service at this worldwide renowned Carnival.

‘We have provided a totally professional service since the Carnival first began in 1966 and yet again we have done a great job across this weekend in providing the best possible first aid care and medical assistance.'