Medical Staff Treat 700 at Festival

Over 700 people required medical attention at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Revellers were treated for a variety of problems ranging from allergies, blisters, sunburn and sprains through to over indulgence, minor burns and exhaustion.

Chris Smith, Head of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service said 'the partnership working between the Island’s NHS, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s HART specialist team, and the St. John Ambulance and Red Cross volunteers in Strawberry Fields is an important part of the service provided.

'Hundreds of Festival goers were helped with Injuries, illness and minor ailments and our colleagues in St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross were kept busy until the early hours and our private sector partners kept the campsite vigil all night long.   Indeed the whole medical service provided to the Festival is based on excellent partnership working between the NHS, voluntary and private sectors.'

Close to the First Aid Centre in Strawberry Fields the Isle of Wight NHS Trust team organise and run a pharmacy under the name ‘Wight Medicine’.   They were able to provide hundreds of Festival goers with over the counter remedies and emergency supplies for common problems such as headaches, hay fever, eye infections, sunburn, blisters, indigestion, bites and stings.

Acting Chief Executive at Isle of Wight NHS Trust Karen Baker said: “All our staff who work and volunteer at the Festival are a credit to the organisation.  They help ensure that the Festival is safe and fun for all present whilst at the same time ensuring that Island residents continue to receive a high quality responsive service.'