Ambulance Services
As many of you will know I have fought for a number of years to get Ambulance response times in our area improved. Unfortunately they have still not improved and co-operation with the Welsh Ambulance service is still indifferent.Now we hear that the Ambulance service is expecting our ‘First Responders’ to raise money for their own equipment.the unfair financial burden placed on the ‘First Responders’ network in rural Shropshire.
These volunteers do a fantastic job, they have proved a real asset to rural communities where Ambulance response times are not good. Its simply not fair to ask these volunteers to fundraise to buy their own equipment as well.
The Bishops Castle, Chirbury and Worthen and Clun Local Joint Committee are now being asked regularly to give grants for equipment and towards 4 wheel drive vehicles. Everything down to bandages and basic medical equipment has to be purchased by fundraising.
and have to pay again to equip our first responders. Not a good deal for rural residents!
I also find the news disturbing that they are now counting the time the arrival of the responder at the scene not the Ambulance towards their targets for response times. Although the responders do a great job their capacity to deal with major incidents is limited and its the time of arrival of the ambulance that should be counted as a true reflection of response times.
The Local Joint Committee has asked the Ambulance service to their next meeting in June to discuss this issue. I have also written to the Health Minister, Norman Lamb MP, to highlight this iniquity.
Best wishes
Heather Kidd
Shropshire Councillor for Chirbury and Worthen