The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service is delighted to announce the recruitment of 24 new volunteer Community First Responders (CFRs).
Each new CFR will undertake the newly launched ‘FutureQuals’ Level 3 Award for First Responders on Scene: ambulance service community responders qualification, at the Ambulance Training & Community Response Services training department.
The first cohort started their CFR learning journey in August attending a 4-day foundation training course, with special COVID-19 measures in place. The Isle of Wight Ambulance service was the first in the country to enrol learners onto the new qualification.
They are joining an existing team of twenty-two CFRs and the new recruits will be fully trained and equipped ready to attend life threatening emergencies as deployed by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service by the end of this year.
Volunteer Community First Responders (CFRs) use their own cars, no blue lights or sirens but being local means they can be on scene with a patient in just a few minutes. They provide vital enhanced first aid skills until the arrival of the Ambulance Service, sometimes making the difference between life and death. The increase in the number of CFRs across all areas of the Island will have a big impact on patient care and experience.
Louise Walker, Ambulance Education, Training & Engagement Lead said:
“We are absolutely thrilled and very privileged to have such a large number of new volunteer CFRs joining our existing group of amazing CFRs. The time and commitment people are willing to give our Ambulance service is truly humbling and we are extremely grateful indeed. The value of having volunteer CFRs as part of our service is not be underestimated, we know that they really do make a difference to our patients”.
How splendid that these kind people are volunteers, and not as some NHS staff are now doing, using the CV dreadful crisis to milk the cash strapped NHS for more money for doing their jobs which they are paid to do.
Well done guys and girls, proud of you all.