Lewisham’s Dr Alex has praised the winner of this year’s UK James Dyson award, who designed a potentially life-saving device to help stem bleeding from knife wounds.

Joseph Bentley’ React tool, which stands for Rapid Emergency Actuating Tamponade, aims to help police treat knife wounds while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.

Police are usually first on the scene at stabbing, but do not currently have the rapid and accessible tools required to prevent catastrophic blood loss, which can kill in just five minutes.

Lewisham University Hospital A&E doctor and former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George said: “Sadly, knife crime is on the rise and we’re seeing more and more incidents of knife related injuries in A&E departments in London and across England and Wales.

This Is Local London: The React device - Rapid Emergency Actuating Tamponade (PA)The React device - Rapid Emergency Actuating Tamponade (PA)

“Although more needs to be done in the wider community to tackle knife crime at the source, Joseph’s React concept could be an impressive solution to help first responders, police officers, and medical professionals deal with these types of injuries, should it pass its medical trials.

“Time is of the essence in treating these types of injuries and the React system could help buy some valuable time before full medical treatment can be administered.”

The tool inflates an implantable medical-grade silicone balloon tamponade into the wound tract, effectively filling the cavity and preventing internal bleeding.

Mr Bentley said current wound management techniques, such as tightly packing with gauze, can be slow, technical, and extremely painful for the victim.

He claims that his prototype could potentially be in place and stop haemorrhage in under a minute, and estimates it could save hundreds of lives a year.

The 22-year-old wins £2,000 towards developing his concept as part of the national prize and will progress to the international stage of the James Dyson Award 2021.

“I was thrilled when I found out I’d won the national James Dyson Award,” Mr Bentley said.

“This prestigious endorsement confirms that the React concept could have real world benefits and a positive impact on society.

“Although medical device testing takes a long time, I’m looking forward to using the prize money to develop my innovation further and hopefully see the device in the hands of first responders saving lives.”

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