Care at Brighton Pride

Over 100 volunteers from St John Ambulance in Sussex were on hand to provide medical care at
this years Pride in Brighton and Hove, for the sixteenth year running.

The St John team included three doctors, six paramedics and seven nurses as well as five
ambulances, a communications unit, specially trained “Forward Incident Teams” and over 50 first
aiders.

St John Ambulance Assistant Commissioner Dan May, who co-ordinates the organisation’s cover said: 'St John Ambulance have been involved with planning this years event as part of the council led multi agency team for some nine months. Our staff will start work from Thursday evening bringing together the huge amount of resources and equipment required for such a large public gathering.

'On the day itself we will cover a 19-hour shift and will be on hand to provide a range of care services to those attending the event both on the parade route, at Preston Park and later on at the St James Street celebrations.'

 

Pride Director, Lesley Burn explains: 'Pride once again appointed St John Ambulance because of their ability to resource what is the largest event in Brighton’s calendar. St John Ambulance has a great understanding of what is needed for events of this size and their knowledge and advice both before and during the event is a key part of Pride’s strategy to provide an event that is both fun and safe for those attending.'

Lesley continued, 'I know that the tens of thousands of people attending this year’s event were reassured to see the St John Ambulance volunteers on hand to assist where needed.'

Dan May added: 'By bringing together a team of highly trained staff, including doctors and paramedics, we are able to significantly reduce the strain that such a large event would traditionally place on the South East Coast Ambulance Service and the local hospitals, by ensuring that all those attending have access to high quality care without the need to leave site or call in a statutory ambulance service resource. We were in constant communication with both the Ambulance Service and Royal Sussex County Hospital throughout the day in order to ensure that all agencies were able
to plan their resources accordingly.'

St John Ambulance is the UK’s leading first aid and care charity and receives no public funding for their work. Expenses for this event are paid for by Pride in Brighton and Hove. All St John Ambulance staff provided their time voluntarily.