Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, visited the Chelmsford Office of the East of England Ambulance Service.
Stephen met with Tom Abell the Chief Executive of East of England Ambulance Services alongside Mayor Cllr James Halden and Cllr Georgette Polley to hear about the trusts improvement plans and to get a better understanding of how the system works and how calls are prioritised.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “It was reassuring to hear about the actions being taken to improve the service and to reduce waiting times for those in lower priority categories. Whatever the challenges the service face, it was good to be able to say thank you to all those who have worked so hard over the last few years, often at their own personal risk”.
Stephen was also able to hear about how the Ambulance Services are always in need of Community First Responders to support the existing groups in Basildon, East Tilbury, Pitsea, Corringham and Stanford-le-Hope.
Community First Responders are the volunteer frontline, often able to respond more rapidly to those in need in their local area. Those who join will receive important first aid training, which could go on to save someone’s life in an emergency.
People who are interested in becoming a Community First Responder volunteer should visit the EEAST website to fill out an application form and find out more information about the role; www.eastamb.nhs.uk.
Stephen added: “Supporting our Ambulance services is vitally important and they are always on the lookout for volunteers.
Being a Community First Responder is a great way of supporting your local community and I’d strongly recommend anyone who is interested to sign up today”.
