New Call For More Community First Responders

9.17.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2008

Local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt has called on West Midlands Ambulance Service bosses to recruit more Community First Responders following their decision to close the county's Ambulance Emergency Control at Bransford.

Mr Burt said there were still public concerns over the closure of Bransford, likely to take place early next year when 999 calls will be transferred to Brierley Hill in the Black Country.

Richard Burt said: "Community First Responders are trained community volunteers who carry a defibrillator and oxygen, and can often save lives following cardiac arrest or breathing difficulties in the vital minutes before an ambulance crew arrives.

"There are already 22 schemes operating across Worcestershire and Herefordshire with 270 registered responders.

"However, there is still a level of concern that emergency cover in remote rural areas may suffer when Bransford closes.

"Now is an ideal time for the Ambulance Trust bosses to respond to that concern by strengthening the network of community first responders in rural areas within the two counties.

"Residents in outlying areas would be greatly reassured to know there was a better chance of a trained first responder, already close by, getting to them faster in the event of a cardiac arrest or other life threatening condition.

"Those first vital minutes make all the difference, and I have written to the Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh to ask if he can explore ways to strengthen the network."