Published February 22, 2016 at 12:42
During 2015, Overview and Scrutiny established a task group to look at reasons for below target response times for Rossendale, which in November 2014 were 60.7% against a target of 75%.
The task group visited the 999 Control Centre in Broughton and the 111 service in Bolton, as well as spoke to Paramedics at both Rawtenstall and Stacksteads Ambulance Stations.
They met with the local Community First Responders and also visited the A & E Department at the Royal Blackburn Hospital to speak to the Matron in charge.
The group also wrote to the two local MPs asking for their support in the House of Commons to encourage the Government to undertake a media campaign to inform people that not everyone needs to phone 999 and highlighting that alternative services are available to the public.
The task group made 11 recommendations which were sent to the North West Ambulance Service, Clinical Commissioning Group and East Lancashire Hospitals Trust for them to respond
Whilst some of our recommendations may have budget implications, overall the responses from each body were very positive and North West Ambulance Service wanted to place on record that they were extremely grateful for the support the task group had shown and was a positive example of partnership working.
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