Boston Pilgrim Hospital workers' 12-hour CPR challenge

Pilgrim Hospital staff prepare for the fundraising challenge

Hospital staff are to perform chest compressions on a mannequin for 12 hours to raise money for life-saving equipment.

Boston's Pilgrim Hospital already has a LUCAS CPR Chest Compression System, which is kept in the emergency department.

A second machine would "enhanced care" to patients, staff said.

The apparatus performs compressions if prolonged CPR is needed, they explained.

Hayley Head, an advanced clinical practitioner in critical care, said: "We can perform CPR for 90 minutes, whilst reversing the cause of a cardiac arrest. This can be tremendously demanding, both mentally and physically, for everyone involved.

"LUCAS is able to maintain the rhythm and pressure needed to give patients the best possible chance of survival and also the best chance of recovery."

Last year, the critical care outreach team was called to 37 cardiac arrests across the hospital site, excluding A&E and the Intensive Care Unit.

As part of the fundraiser, 15 staff members will take it in turns to perform CPR.

Ms Head added: "Performing CPR is probably the most physically demanding part of our jobs as healthcare professionals."

The fundraising event will take place from 08:00 to 20:00 BST on 26 April in the outpatients department.

Gary Burr, a fundraiser with the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity, said: "Our teams do an amazing job caring for our patients. We are so proud to support this great team and event that will not only raise awareness, but also funds to help our colleagues to continue saving lives.

"A second LUCAS machine will provide enhanced care for our patients."