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Ambulance responses under scrutiny
I THOUGHT I'd take this opportunity to update readers on a story that appeared in the County Times a few weeks ago.
An employee of the local ambulance service had got in touch with this paper to explain his grave concerns that rural areas had inadequate ambulance provision when compared with more urban areas.
I was asked for my views on this and because I had not come across complaints of this nature before, I promised to immediately raise the issue with the chief executive of the ambulance trust. I also promised to report back to the County Times.
Well, I've heard back from the trust and I am pleased to say that they took the allegations very seriously indeed. I received a thorough explanation – which I have shared with the County Times – as to why rural areas' response times can appear lower than urban areas.
However, it was also acknowledged that whilst there may be genuine reasons for variation, it should be reduced wherever possible. This is something that I am assured the trust reviews constantly.
There are other approaches as well. The trust is increasing its number of community responders – these are volunteers trained in what to do when being first on the scene in an emergency situation. Of course they are always backed up by ambulance teams but as they operate in the areas in which they live and work, they may save someone's life in the valuable minutes they have with a patient before an ambulance reaches them.
This is obviously of extra significance in rural locations and has proved vital in, for example, situations involving cardiac arrest.
Responders are equipped with a response bag with essential first aid equipment including oxygen and an automated external defibrillator.
Another new development which is currently taking place, is the creation of new ambulance service response posts. The trust recognises that ambulance stations may not be in the best place to serve communities – particularly as population changes may have taken place since some stations were built. Again, these new posts will benefit rural communities.
The allegations that were directed to the County Times were very serious but I am confident that the ambulance service is aware of the needs of rural communities, is constantly monitoring them and is always developing ways to ensure that they receive adequate provision.
That said, I will continue to monitor this situation closely. I regularly meet with the chief executive of the trust and I will certainly raise this issue during our next meeting. I will ask for an update on the situation.
I will also discuss the issue with colleagues of mine who have rural constituencies. I hope this might reassure readers.
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -7 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
