App launched to support people who witness a cardiac arrest
An app has been launched to support people with the emotional distress of witnessing someone suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
A one-year pilot of the RescQ app began on 17 April 2025 in Essex to map the size of the problem and find out the number of people who need support before it is rolled out across Norfolk and Hertfordshire.
The £75,000 project is funded by a grant from the NHS East of England Cardiac Network and will run until early 2026, with potential for extension.
It is being led by the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, with other partners including East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST), Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, East Anglian Air Ambulance and Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK.
Dr Uzma Sajjad, cardiology research fellow at the Essex CTC and operational lead for the project, said: “There are currently limited resources in the UK to support those who witness an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, a group we call ‘forgotten patients’.
“This new app aims to bridge that gap by providing essential information and support by signposting to a dedicated website, helping rescuers and those who see such cardiac arrests process their experience and find the reassurance and support they need.”
There are around 3,500 cases of OHCAs across Essex every year, but it is not known how many ‘forgotten patients’ may have witnessed incidents and need help.
The app will be used by EEAST land crews to document incident details, including the number of OHCA witnesses present and their relationship to the patient.
People impacted by seeing an OHCA will be invited to visit a website featuring advice through videos, including real-life experiences from individuals who have witnessed a cardiac arrest and insights from experts such as psychologists and medical professionals.
The website will help them understand what to expect after such an event and provide guidance on coping strategies.
If needed, they can request contact with a trained patient liaison officer, who will be able to offer them further support.
Dr Sajjad said: “We will assess the app’s impact by analysing the data collected, using these insights to continually refine and enhance the support available for those who witness such challenging events.”
In the first week since launch, 18 OHCAs were reported to the app and it has offered support to 22 bystanders.
Justine Di Fede, sector clinical Lead at EEAST, said: “We are proud to be hosting this app for the families and strangers who witness an OHCA.
“I have received wonderful feedback from the staff and management within Essex who are keen to give out the support that our colleagues in the CTC are offering.
“Being able to offer this level of support to the people who are often forgotten about, yet can play a huge part in the patient’s chain of survival, is so important and we urge everyone approached to take advantage of this fantastic resource.”
