Cumbria's Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee has welcomed a commitment from the new North West Ambulance Service to reflect the unique needs of Cumbria when responding to emergencies.
Members of the Committee had expressed concerns that the new regional Ambulance Trust, which also covers Merseyside and Cheshire, would find it difficult to reflect the specific needs of Cumbria as one of the most sparsely populated counties in the country.
Now, after receiving representations from the Committee, the North West Ambulance Service’s Chief Executive John Burnside has agreed to establish a local office in Cumbria which will be run by a new Head of Services with special responsibility for ambulance provision in the county.
Commenting on the North West Ambulance Trust’s decision county councillor Jeff Garnett, who has been leading on the Committee's scrutiny of the ambulance service proposals, said:
“This is a welcome decision that will make sure the needs of patients throughout Cumbria are reflected in the strategic decisions taken by the new North West Ambulance Service.
“The establishment of a Cumbrian office with its own Head of Services will also provide an natural link with the new countywide Primary Care Trust which is due to be established from October.”
The Committee is responsible for reviewing health service matters in Cumbria on behalf of the local population. It comprises councillors from both the County Council and District Councils in Cumbria.