HAMPSHIRE Ambulance Trust chiefs are seeking to encourage support from the public in provision of a more dynamic, modern-day service.

As training goes ahead to staff a Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) in the Bordon/Liphook area, the trust needs volunteers to join Community First Response teams to provide a lifeline for patients living in more isolated parts of the county.

The call comes in response to a union statement which accuses the trust of providing poor rural cover in North East Hampshire.

According to the Joint Shop Stewards Committee (JSSC) those living in rural communities in the Alton, Bordon and Petersfield area continue to suffer from a Òpostcode lotteryÓ, with pressure being put on crews to fulfil patient expectation while being forced to meet government response targets by concentrating their efforts on the more densely populated conurbations.

The JSSC has suggested that rural cover could be improved in East Hampshire by siting one of the day vehicles from either Alton or Petersfield in the Bordon area. This could then take on the role of a 24-hour emergency vehicle to cover what has traditionally been viewed as Òa black holeÓ.

But they fear that the trust will play its hardship card and dismiss the idea as being too expensive.

ÒSurely finances must come second to the preservation of life and the transportation of the sick and injured to hospital,Ó points out Alton ambulanceman and chairman of Joint Shop Stewards for Hampshire Ambulance Service Trust Jim Barnett.

In a statement, which has been sent to the Hampshire Ambulance Trust and to all Hampshire MPs including Michael Mates (Alton & Petersfield) and James Arbuthnot (Bordon & Liphook), Mr Barnett says:

ÒIt is the right of all people living in rural areas to expect the same care as those living in the towns and cities.Ó

In responce, Director for Ambulance Services for Hampshire Mike Cassidy says union members may be suffering from Òa basic misunderstanding of the concept of how ambulance services are now providedÓ.

ÒWe have moved on from the concept of two crew in an ambulance providing a minimum of treatment before transporting the patient to hospital. We now deploy more highly skilled staff who are able to administer a greater range of treatment.Ó

He said provision of care was more about rapid response, assessment of the severity of the case and administration of treatment to stabilise the patient, followed by transportation to hospital, if needed.

The aim was to meet government targets by responding to at least 75 per cent of life-threatening incidents within eight minutes and 95 per cent of all non-life threatening calls in 19 minutes.

Mr Cassidy did, however, admit that the trust was experiencing some difficulty in providing rural cover, since it had to put more resources into the large conurbations where data revealed the greatest demand.

However, in accepting the difficulties of Alton and Petersfield crews in trying to cover the rural areas, particularly around Bordon and Liphook, agreement has been reached to provide an RRV in that area. Staff are currently training to man the vehicle and the RRV is expected to be operational within the next two to three weeks.

The Hampshire Control Centre now has a satellite monitoring system which shows the exact location of all vehicles and enables controllers to dispatch them more effectively.

In addition, while traditionally ambulances have been based at stations, now they are located at stand-by locations which, says Mr Cassidy, enables them to action a quicker response.

Ambulance services in Hampshire have experienced a 12 per cent increase in emergency calls over the past year and a campaign has been launched to try and reduce abuse of the system.

Mike Cassidy is also keen to encourage more volunteers to join Community First Response teams. They need to be physically fit, hold a current driving licence and be prepared to commit to the scheme which will require them to administer life-saving treatment.

Full training will be given to members who should be located within six minutes travelling time of the community they will serve.

l To find out more about Community First Response Teams contact Keith Boyes on 01962.863511 Ext 402.