V Festival 2013 gets underway at Weston Park
Around 90,000 people are expected to enjoy the V Festival on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border this weekend.
Music fans are descending on Weston Park for the area’s biggest music festival and already West Midlands Ambulance Service, in partnership with Venture Event Medical Management and St. John Ambulance have been busy providing medical cover.
The organisations’ staff and volunteers, of which there are almost 300, are operating a medical centre on site, along with a command and control centre which is co-ordinating ambulances and other medical staff who are stationed within the main arena and in the campsite areas. They are on hand to assess and treat anyone who should become ill or injured during the weekend.
The doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, first aiders, control room staff and logistics staff provide first-class medical services onsite for the thousands of festival goers, making it one of the safest festivals in the country.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “It’s been a steady start for the staff and volunteers since the V Festival gates opened to campers on Friday.
“So far, 238 people have been treated at the on-site medical centre collectively by St. John Ambulance volunteers and West Midlands Ambulance Service staff. One of the patients was a female camper who had a tent peg go through her foot. The woman received emergency treatment in the medical centre and was able to stay onsite and continue to enjoy the festival.
“On-site ambulance crews around Weston Park tended to a further 38 patients with only four patients requiring hospital treatment, one of which was a man with a burnt foot. The other three patients were medical cases with the patient requiring further hospital treatment.
“If you’re heading there today, it’s really important that you don’t forget your wellies as it’s muddy underfoot on site. With the weather forecast predicting more showers today appropriate footwear is essential to reduce the risk of injury through a preventable trip or fall.
“As always, V Festival goers are asked to pace themselves with their alcohol intake and keep themselves topped up with plenty of non-alcoholic drinks to keep hydrated. This will help to ensure they get to see their favourite bands and above all, have fun!”
