Agenda item

To receive and note the update.

Cllr V Holliday introduced the report as Chair of the Coastal Parish Working Group, and informed Members that monitoring at Parish level had begun when the BBC reported that the area had the worst ambulance response times in the Country at 23 minutes for urgent calls and over three hours for non-urgent calls. It was stated that the complex issue was the result of a number of factors ranging from rurality to turn around times. Cllr V Holliday stated that the Group were now trying to work with the CCG to improve response times by addressing a range of issue and offering potential solutions. It was noted that Covid-19 had impacted progress, and evidence at the postcode level continued to show that response times in rural areas were far worse than urban areas. It was suggested that aiding the recruitment and training of Community First Responders (CFR), as well as retaining rapid response vehicles should be a priority. Cllr V Holliday noted that a stroke support ambulance had been trialed, and whilst expensive, suggested it could be considered for charitable support, taking into account that North Norfolk had the highest incidence of strokes in the Country.

Questions and Discussion

       i.          The Chairman noted that the report showed there had been very little improvement, with targets still being missed. He sought clarification on whether the rapid response vehicles would be used by CFR or paramedics, to which Cllr V Holliday confirmed that they were used by highly trained paramedics. It was noted that these paramedics would be employed directly by EEAST, as opposed to local surgeries.

      ii.          Cllr P Fisher stated that as the Member for Wells, he was acutely aware that beyond its remoteness, the significant amount of summer traffic and parked cars seriously hindered emergency services access. He added that for this reason, there were a number of wider issues that had to be resolved for response times to improve. Cllr V Holliday stated that she would raise these issues with the Working Group at the next meeting. It was noted that population growth was also a significant concern during the peak summer season.

     iii.          The Chairman noted his support for the CFR, and stated that interventions within the first hour were crucial. Cllr C Cushing asked whether a map of CFR coverage of the District was available for consideration. Cllr V Holliday stated that she would seek this information from EEAST to share with the Committee. Cllr V Gay stated that she had also requested this information and hoped to have it soon.

    iv.          The Chairman asked whether the Committee were supportive of a further update being provided in twelve months. Cllr L Withington stated that she had concerns that the rapid response vehicle funding was due to finish in the months ahead, and suggested that support should be offered to retain the vehicles.

      v.          Cllr N Pearce stated that a six-monthly review could be useful to take into account both summer and winter demand. Cllr V Holliday agreed and suggested that she would be happy to provide six-monthly updates.

    vi.          The Chairman proposed that in addition to noting the report, the Committee should write to EEAST to express its support for retaining the rapid response vehicles, request further ambulance response times updates on a six-monthly basis and seek to determine the location of the District’s CFR. Cllr L Withington seconded the proposals.

RESOLVED 

1.     To receive and note the update

2.     To write to EEAST on behalf of the Committee to express support for retaining the Community First Responder’s - Rapid Response Vehicles.

3.     Six-monthly updates to be added to the Committee Work Programme.

4.     To request information on the geographical location of the District’s Community First Responders.