Useful resources on cardiac arrest now online

The Out-of-Hospital-Cardiac-Arrest: a Strategy for Scotland (2015) policy document aims to improve the rehabilitation and aftercare of OHCA survivors, their close family and friends, and those bereaved through OHCA. It also acknowledges that an OHCA can have a profound impact on those who perform resuscitation and that these individuals, too, may need support following an event. To build on this initiative, Scottish Government and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) have funded the development of two new online resources:

• Life After Cardiac Arrest – this website provides support and information for who have experienced an OHCA, their close family and friends, and those bereaved by OHCA
• Heart ELearning – this is a free educational resource that can be used by health and social care professionals to learn more about heart disease and refresh their skills

Both resources have been developed through a collaborative partnership between CHSS and the University of Edinburgh. The third sector has close ties with service user communities, allowing them access to expert knowledge and giving them the potential to develop effective and relevant educational resources (Scottish Third Sector Research Forum, 2011). Interactive case studies and filmed personal stories from those affected by OHCA form the basis for content, which includes sign-posting to a wide range of useful websites and resources.