Ambulance times improve

For over three years, Audlem and Nantwich representatives have been meeting directors of NWAS, the North West Ambulance Service.

Local MPs, Stephen O'Brien and Edward Timpson have also been at the meetings. The main items discussed have been ambulance response times and appropriate training for First Responders.

There has been considerable success on both fronts aided by the arrival of a new chief executive at NWAS, Darren Hurrell, who has attended many of the meetings and responded positively to local requests.

On response times, the key improvement was an additional ambulance based in Nantwich. This has resulted in virtually all Nantwich emergency calls being met within the 19 minute target.

It has also had a significant impact on Audlem response times with the past three months seeing the 19 minute target achieved in 100% of calls in April, 83% in May and 100% in June.

Further improvement is still being sought with the possibility of basing the Nantwich ambulance at Stapeley to reduce travel times to Audlem and surrounding rural areas.

The First Responder training negotiations have also progressed well, albeit over an extended period. At the most recent meeting this month, pressure was applied for the new training regime to start as soon as possible. This would allow the Responders to attend a much wider range of calls.

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