The story of the Cycle Response Unit (CRU) with Tom Lynch MBE, MStJ & Tom Baverstock

In this episode, we are going to examine a story of one of the
key innovations in pre-hospital care in the last 20 years and how
it came into existence. We will look at the Cycle Response Unit
or CRU that see’s Paramedics respond to emergency calls via
mountain bikes across the nation. To do this we have the creator
and founder of the CRU Tom Lynch MBE, MStJ.


Tom Lynch has channeled his excellent cycling and coaching
skills, his self-belief, and his competitive spirit to develop
and deliver the CRU.traveled the world as a BMXer, won numerous
trophies and titles several times over, appeared on the front
page of magazines, had fans on every continent and lived a life
people can only dream of. In 1999 Tom got the go-ahead for a
trial to set up the Ambulance Cycle Response Unit (C.R.U.) to
answer 999 calls in the West End of London. He still had friends
in the bike industry from BMX days and he made sure he got the
best equipment available. The bike was fitted with the latest
pre-hospital equipment and the all-important lightweight
defibrillator. This marked the beginning of a legacy of
paramedics on mountain bikes, but it wasn’t always an easy ride.
we examine the history and background, Tom’s struggles and
battles to get the project off the ground, some of the seminal
cases in which the CRU has been involved, and some of Tom’s best
moments.


In the conversation we examine:


Tom Lynch's background growing up

History & inception of the CRU

Demographics served across London and wider teams across the
UK

Advantages over other vehicles over time and environment

Seminal cases that the CRU have attended/made a difference to

CRU Awards achieved

Some of the battles and struggles Tom has faced and overcome

What it gives back to both the community and the clinician.

Some of the key takeaways 



I hope you enjoy this episode with two fascinating guests.