The BEEP Fund was set up in April 1994
as an addition to the existing Penrith and District Accident Scheme.
This Scheme has provided a basic level of equipment for local
doctors in the Upper Eden area of Cumbria, including Penrith,
Kirkoswald, High Hesket, Temple Sowerby, Kirkby Stephen, Shap,
Keswick and Caldbeck, for over 20 years, enabling them to attend
accidents and collapses in the area.
“We felt there was a need to
take this a step further in and around Penrith. We needed to buy
more sophisticated equipment and develop a dedicated vehicle (the
Immediate Response Vehicle) which was capable of carrying this
equipment to where it was needed. We now have these facilities
in Penrith and, although only doctors from the Birbeck Medical
Group use the vehicle, it attends any road traffic accident in
the Penrith area as well as most other medical emergencies.”
Dr Theo Weston,
Birkbeck Medical Group and Chairman of the BEEP Fund
Although only doctors from the Birbeck
Medical Group use the car, it attends all road traffic
accidents in the Penrith area (within a radius of 10-15 miles)
as well as most other medical emergencies. At present we receive
around 180 calls per year from ambulance control, with whom we
work in close association in the form of paramedic equipped ambulances.
THE THREE MAIN PIECES OF EQUIPMENT
IN THE VEHICLE ARE
• An MRL Pic monitor/defibrillator to monitor the heart,
oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, temperature and blood pressure
• An AED defibrillator
• A ventilator device
These each cost over £6 000 but they have been shown to
save lives.
The car also carries oxygen, entonox, splints, collars, intravenous
fluids and other supplies as well as being fully kitted out with
emergency lights, siren, reflective stripes and a radio. More
up-to-date equipment is continuously being bought or used to replace
old stock as equipment improves or use by dates pass.
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