First Responder issues raised in Parliament

The concerns about the downgrading of First Responder training in Cheshire since a north west regional ambulance service was created have been aired in Parliament by local MPs Stephen O'Brien and Edward Timpson.

Edward Timpson said: "We have been told that the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) wants to expand the community responder service, and indeed it has started to make moves in that direction. However, new CFRs (first responders) are becoming qualified on the basis of just 18 hours training, without responding to category A,B and C calls that need to be recognised as part of their service."

Local Audlem MP Stephen O'Brien is well aware of the Audlem First Responder team that has been set up recently and, indeed, was briefed on it by parish councillor Mike Hill only last week at the MP's surgery held at Audlem Public Hall. Stephen O'Brien told Parliament: "The NWAS has repeatedly been challenged on this matter and we have reached the point at which we demand answers."

Audlem's First Responder team put out a statement on Audlem Online recently, explaining that they could only respond to those calls referred to them by NWAS. One of the team, Jane Palin said: "First responders have a pager which is programmed to alert them to a specific list of potentially life threatening calls. It is not currently North West Ambulance Service policy to send First Responders to other emergency calls – for example falls, suspected fractures or abdominal pain as these are not deemed as 'life threatening', therefore the First Responder will not be aware of these types of calls, unless specifically contacted by telephone by the ambulance control centre."

A meeting is to be held shortly amongst interested local communities to discuss what has to be said to advise NWAS what to do about the First Responders including issues such as training, response times and other key concerns.

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