PRESS CALL V Festival preparations underway

And members of the media are invited to Hylands Park at 12noon on Friday to see for themselves the well-equipped vehicles service staff will be using to get around the park.

Jon Moore, general manager of west Essex and Silver command for the weekend, said: "Last year the ambulance service, supported by St John Ambulance volunteers, treated 584 patients, about 25 of which were taken to hospital.

"We are very well organised and very well resourced; with paramedics and emergency medical technicians working alongside emergency care practitioners and doctors, the sheer range of skills and number of staff may help limit the number of hospital admissions and thus reduce the impact on local services.

"Set up at each of the five stages will be first aid posts shared by ambulance staff and SJA volunteers. These will be manned 24/7 from Friday to Monday, in anticipation of people arriving and leaving the festival at different times aside of the Saturday and Sunday programme. We have been asked by the organisers to be on site until 6pm on Monday as historically some visitors leave the site later on a Monday.

"Five ambulances will be on site, plus two quad bikes provided very kindly by Suzuki, as well as 4x4 vehicles. These ensure our staff can move around the park where needed and provide response in some of the more difficult-to-reach areas. We are very grateful for the superb level of support we get from the companies who supply these vehicles; it means there is less pressure on core NHS resources and allows us to have a more tailor-made approach to dealing with call-outs during the V Festival.

"Finally, all of these resources are controlled by our dedicated mobile health and emergency control centre situated in the emergency services compound. Here, people who usually work in the Broomfield call centre will dispatch staff as necessary, meaning they can deal with festival incidents directly instead of it impacting on the HEOC at HQ."

Paramedic manager Martin Butterfield, based at Chelmsford station, has organised the staffing of the festival: “At any given time at the weekend, there will be about 35 ambulance staff and doctors stepping up to the challenge of a busy event. There will also be practice nurses on site at night time. 

"And for the first time, we are also siting crews at the stage mixing desks to ensure that wherever fans are and need medical assistance, we’re nearby."

St John Ambulance is a pivotal element in the care patients received, and spokesman Richard Bloomfield said: "This year, to meet the anticipated demand, St John Ambulance is providing more resources and 140 volunteers per day to back up the ambulance service.

"Probably the main causes for concern are the consequences of festival goers' excessive behaviour and extreme weather such as heat or rain and low temperatures, so we would appeal to everyone attending to pay attention to their personal well-being."

The service is also taking the opportunity to remind revellers to stay safe during the weekend and avoid accidents or medical problems.

Jon added: "The event has an excellent safety record and by following some basic safety measures, this year's visitors can help maintain that while still enjoying the music and the atmosphere.

“It's important that people wear sun protection such as lotion, a hat and keep covered up even if the weather is cloudy - the heat can also cause dehydration so it's essential people drink enough water to prevent this.

"As temperatures can drop of an evening at this time of year, it's worth bringing layers of clothing for extra comfort. This is especially important for campers - bring items to keep warm, especially ground sheets for tents. Rain can also cause chills, so  wear weatherproof clothing so you can stay comfortable.

"A torchlight can also be invaluable while moving around the festival site at night, and could help reduce the chances of having an accident."

Those with a medical condition are reminded to ensure they have the right amount of medication and someone they are with is aware of  their condition. Members of security or ambulance staff are available for assistance if necessary, or dial 999 if necessary.

Festival spokeswoman Dawn Woodhouse added: "The work that the East of England Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance do on site at V is essential to ensuring that our guests stay well and safe.  We urge punters to listen to their sound advice, like wearing spf when it’s hot and wrapping up when it’s not, to ensure they can focus on having a great time!”

ENDS

If you plan on being at the park  for noon on Friday, please contact Joy on 07917 517810 by the end of Thursday. I cannot guarantee photo or interview opportunities to media who visit the park at other times, so please give sufficient notice to avoid any problems.

I will be in attendance on both days, and will update the Newsline with any relevant information. As soon as I'm able on Monday, I will send out a roundup press release