Local ambulance service survey

On behalf of the Parish Councils of Audlem, Buerton, Dodcott cum Wilkesley and Hankelow

Sometime ago we became aware that the ambulance service provider, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), was not responding to emergency calls in the area in accordance with national targets.

As a result meetings took place with NWAS and eventually the offer was made to support the area and train local people to be First Responders, local people who could be first on the scene to provide rapid help until the ambulance arrived.

Four people volunteered and were subsequently trained. However as training commenced, we learned it was to be to a lower standard than other groups around Cheshire. As this put us in a Catch 22 position, the decision was taken to proceed with the training, and we would continue to argue our case directly with the NWAS.

This has now been going on for some time to little effect. We have involved our MP, Stephen O'Brien, who has met with the Chief Executive of the NWAS and other senior NWAS managers. All efforts so far have been to no avail. However, Stephen O'Brien is encouraging us to not give up our cause and he will continue to support us directly.

We have a further group of volunteers who have started training in late April. This will give us a tremendous cover and relieve the pressure on the original team who are committing 86% of their spare time to provide the service.

Unfortunately, the lower level of training the First Responders now receive means they cannot attend calls such as falls; anything involving under-14s or administer any drugs, including Aspirin. As for costs, First Responders do not get paid. They are volunteers giving spare time to all villages and surrounding ares.

The car they use was donated by Cheshire Constabulary at no cost. All the local Parish Councils have donated to the scheme. Other monies have been raised from neighbouring local businesses and local donations.

The only money received from the NWAS is for car mileage. Insurance, car tax and other running expenses have to be found from donations.

Therefore, to continue our debate with the North West Ambulance Service, and the local Primary Care Trust, the Parish Councils need to ensure they are acting in accord with residents' wishes on this very important issue concerning one of the emergency services.

Three areasBasically the survey covers three areas:

A – Ambulance response times in the whole area.

B – First Responders only trained to lowest standard and only allowed to attend calls involving chest pains/heart attacks.

C – There is no non-executive director representing Cheshire on the Board of the NWAS whilst other counties/areas are represented.

Questionnaires asking your opinion on these issues are about to be circulated to all households. We hope you will participate in this local test of public opinion. It is important we have a very comprehensive response to this referendum.

Every effort will be made to collect the completed forms or, on completing the survey, you could return the form to either the Post Office or Williams newsagents in Audlem.

After receiving your copy (one per household), if you require more copies, please contact Mike Hill on 01270 811843 or email: michaelhill439@btinternet.com">michaelhill439@btinternet.com

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