FIRST RESPONDERS

Early day motion 2371, tabled 15 June 2006 by Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 27 members.

That this House congratulates Great Britain's First Responders, who provide essential on-the-spot emergency support in rural areas where ambulance services struggle to meet response target times; celebrates, in particular, the work of the 60 First Responders groups in Cumbria, who have been providing essential support to Cumbria Ambulance Service for over six years; notes with concern that installation of an automated call handling system for Cumbria Ambulance Service has led to a breakdown in the First Responders system, notably in Langdale, with calls not going to those First Responders nearest to the incident; and calls upon the Government to ensure that automated call handling systems are adapted to ensure that they do not undermine the work of local First Responders groups.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 5, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.