Q: Given the present situation, what please is your message to the local communities in places like South Woodham Ferrers about the levels of services they can expect today and how they can help you to make those services work as well as possible? In particular as examples, what can they expect and should do if people seem likely to be having a cardiac arrest, a heart attack, a stroke, be involved in a serious accident where there seems to be a major trauma patient, and a serious accident where someone seems to have an open fracture or broken pelvis?
A: The Director of Nursing, Safety & Quality confirmed the Trust continued to offer an emergency response for those in life and limb threatening situations. She recommended individuals in an emergency continue to contact 999 as soon as possible where they would be clinically triaged and a response dispatched based on the circumstances. A response may also be provided to patients in collaboration with partner organisations such as the Air Ambulance. Regardless of media reports, ring 999 and you will get a timely response and any delays will be explained and dealt with.
Q: Please could we have an update on recruitment and activation of Community First Responders (CFRs) to support Category 2 calls in these challenging times and the steps taken to ensure CFRs aren’t left with such patients for many hours before crews arrive?
A: The Director of Integration confirmed significant progress had been made since our meeting in October 2022 including resetting the governance model and implementation of the improvement plan. There had been engagement with CFRs to understand key themes and issues. The improvement plan for CFRs would be overseen by the QGC, this would focus on recruitment methods, training and the workforce pipeline. On average 65 CFRs were recruited each month but there was potential to further maximise this. There was further work underway to ensure this activity could be maximised, working with call centres to direct resource. CFRs had been involved in this activity to ensure it was targeted. She extended her thanks to volunteers for the incredible work undertaken with local communities every day.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 