Special constables sent to medical emergencies ahead of paramedics

PART-TIME police volunteers are being sent out to deal with medical emergencies ahead of ambulances.

The special constables are being used as ‘first responders’ for 999 calls where paramedics would take too long.

They have been trained to provide lifesaving treatment to patients such as those who have suffered cardiac arrest.

But critics of the pilot scheme in Hampshire say it is taking police resources to reduce pressure on ambulance trusts.

John Apter, chairman of the Police Federation in Hampshire, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘My concern is that overstretched police resources are papering over the cracks of what is a broken ambulance service.

‘The ambulance service seem to think we have special constables roaming around not doing very much.’

The scheme, devised by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, involves six special constables working in three pairs. They have been trained to carry out basic paramedic work such as using a defibrillator or giving oxygen.

The specials go on normal patrols for the police service, but ‘book on’ to the ambulance service’s control system as well.

When a 999 call comes in, if the specials are the nearest trained medical resource and are free, they will be sent as first responders to the scene until ambulance backup arrives.

The scheme began on April 28 and so far the specials have responded to three incidents.

SCAS said that in each case it also despatched its own vehicles and staff. Its community responder manager, Richard Tracey, said special constables in more rural areas could often be closest to someone in cardiac arrest ‘by a good few minutes’.