Had a heart attack? You need to call fire brigade!

PATIENTS would be treated by firefighters instead of paramedics under a proposed scheme to tackle Scotland’s NHS crisis.

Fire crews would be called out to give cardiac treatment or help elderly patients who suffer falls.

The move is being considered by NHS bosses struggling to provide out-of-hours medical cover. They want the fire service to step in as a ‘first response’ to relieve pressure on paramedics and doctors.

In an apparent admission that the move represents a less than ideal solution, the NHS has warned that patients can no longer expect a ‘gold-plated’ service.

Under the planned NHS Highland scheme, fire engines with defibrillators will be sent to patients suffering cardiac arrests. Fire crews will also assist elderly people who fall but do not require medical help.

Scottish Tory health spokesman Donald Cameron said: ‘While firefighters probably can help out when necessary, people will be alarmed at this suggestion. The health board itself admits this won’t be the best, which is hardly promising.’

Scotland’s NHS out-of-hours system is under increasing pressure through staff shortages and a growing number of patients.

The plan would see fire crews called out to help a patient suffering from cardiac arrest if they are the nearest emergency vehicle.

The fire crew, who are trained in resuscitation and first aid, would try to keep the patient alive until an ambulance arrives.

In the case of falls, the situation would be assessed by paramedics over the phone and if the patient was unhurt, firefighters could be sent to get them back on their feet.

An NHS Highland spokesman said: ‘Emergencies come under the remit of the Scottish Ambulance Service and we are working with them and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to jointly increase the number of firstresponder schemes.’

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘We and all of our emergency service partners exist to save lives. We stand on the front line together.’

But Dr Jean Turner, patron of the Scotland Patients Association, said: ‘This could creep into other areas where there are shortages of NHS staff. Sometimes it takes a doctor’s observation to realise there’s a lot more to someone’s fall than meets the eye.

‘And what happens if fire crew are attending a patient and there is a fire? They can’t just drop a patient and run.’

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘We want a high-quality out-ofhours service which fully meets patient needs. This includes a multidisciplinary team approach.’