North West Ambulance Service said “extremely positive and productive” meetings have been held as it looks to replace Alston’s community ambulance with an enhanced community first responders scheme.
At present, Alston is served by its own dedicated ambulance, which is staffed by emergency medical technicians (EMTs), but the ambulance service has said that due to national changes regarding the skill level and training legally required for EMTs, it has “no choice”, but to change the operational model for the Alston area.
However, in response to that, community group Save Alston Moor’s Services (SAMS) — which includes the whole emergency response team of EMTs, community first responders and other residents — has drawn up a list of demands which have been supported by Alston Moor Parish Council.
It says NWAS must provide an ambulance vehicle and support a crew made up of CFRs, eCFRs and EMTs.
In addition, they need to be able to use flashing blue lights in order to alert other road users and make the accident scene safe, plus be able to transport patients whenever safe to do so, which the ambulance is not able to do at present.
The proposal is to replace the ambulance with a 4×4 vehicle.
However, at last month’s Alston Moor Parish Council meeting, Elaine Grew reported that the EMTs would prefer the ambulance to stay on Alston Moor to provide an emergency response.
She said they feel it is not sensible to have a vehicle that cannot accommodate a casualty. In place of having an ambulance in which to place a patient, NWAS is proposing that a tent could be used to cover a casualty.
The EMTs had never been given a good enough reason as to why they must wait for a paramedic for all patients, the meeting was told.
Penrith and the Border MP Neil Hudson, said he was extremely saddened to hear of the plans regarding the removal the Alston Moor community ambulance, has accepted an invitation to meet with SAMS and parish councillors to discuss the need for an ambulance.
“I very much understand the challenges that Alston faces due to how rural it is, and how absolutely crucial the local ambulance is in order to protect and support the community,” said Dr Hudson.
Gene Quinn, head of service for Cumbria and Lancashire for NWAS, said: “The working party group is meeting every month to work towards the proposed eCFR model and the meetings have been extremely positive and productive.
“Chaired by Cumbria Healthwatch, the group also includes representatives from the parish council, the community EMTs and from NWAS — all of whom are committed to ensuring the town has a safe and effective ambulance model.
“We recognise that the parish council has concerns, but we are working with them to ensure all those are addressed and will continue to do so throughout the coming months.”
