CONCERNS have been raised that emergency medical responders (EMR) in the Durham Dales are being placed in a vulnerable position by North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to improve response times.

Barnard Castle Town Council discussed the issue when considering a County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue consultation which outline plans to extend a current EMR scheme where firefighters are trained to respond to ambulance calls.

Ambulances currently have eight minutes to reach the most serious ‘red’ calls but NEAS denied claims it is ‘stopping the clock’ earlier than it needs to - with recent statistics showing a healthcare professional arrived at a red call within 7.27minutes in 50 per cent of cases.

However, Barnard Castle town councillor Tony Cooke, who is also part of the Durham Dales Ambulance Monitoring Group, said he was concerned for responders, who could also be members of the community.

“This procedure of stopping the clock when a responder arrives is only benefitting NEAS because it ups their response times that at the moment are pretty dismal,” he said.

“I have been fighting this clock stopping for eight years.”

Independent county councillor for North Yorkshire, John Blackie, echoed Cllr Cooke’s concerns.

“We are very fortunate to have our first responders but with all due respect they are not medically qualified as ambulance staff are and that’s the point,” he said.

“If the community responder stops the clock then you can bet your bottom dollar the ambulance will be diverted elsewhere; we got to the bottom of the list and that compromises the safety of the patient.”

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman added: “Of course the emergency services must cooperate but the skills of paramedics and fire staff are different and should not be confused in service delivery."

However, NEAS Director, Caroline Thurlbeck said the EMR trial, due to run until June 30, was “innovative” and sees an EMR dispatched at the same time as an ambulance.

“Our ambition for this trial is to improve the survival rate for those people who suffer from a life-threatening illness or injury in the community.

“The location of EMR’s within local communities could mean they are nearer to the scene and can deliver lifesaving care in those first critical minutes of the emergency until an ambulance clinician arrives, enhancing the usual emergency medical response from NEAS.”

The fire brigade’s consultation will run until February 8.

To view it visit http://bit.ly/consultations16-17