Ambulance Service improves communications following pressure over First Responders Scheme

The North West Ambulance Service Trust has improved its communications with First Responders (CFR) volunteers across Cumbria following pressure from local MP Tim Farron and others. The Trust has started issuing a monthly 'Team Brief', and is holding a number of meetings across the county to talk about improvements to the CFR scheme.

The Trust has also called off its proposed halt to training and reassessments, which would have severely restricted the number of CFR volunteers able to respond to calls. Additionally, the Trust has agreed to make more of an effort to solve the technical problems associated with the pager call-out system.

Speaking in response to the news from the Ambulance Service, Tim Farron said: "The information in this briefing document, and the fact that it exists at all, is great news - one First Responders volunteer has told me that this represents 'a complete turn around in terms of the Ambulance Trust's commitment to the First Responders schemes in Cumbria.'

"I was only too happy to be able to play my part in getting this result by meeting with the Trust's Chief Executive John Burnside before Christmas."