The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) have recently invested significant resources into the Durham Dales; in an attempt to get the long suffering area up to speed with the rest of North East England. The move is part of a wider £650,000 scheme, which is sure to satisfy underwhelmed residents of the area.
What has the North East Ambulance Service done?
To fulfil the aims of the scheme, the NEAS will bring in a total of six new emergency care assistants; plus will invest heavily in a rapid response vehicle. This vehicle will cover the Weardale area, along with Teesdale. As of Monday 8th August, there are five staff posts being advertised by the service. This will bring Weardale up to having eight paramedics, 6 emergency care assistants, 1 ambulance vehicle and 1 rapid response vehicle.
What brought these changes about?
The changes are being made due to a review into the way in which ambulance services were being delivered in the area. As a result of these changes, ambulances will now be actually crewed by paramedics and emergency care assistants; rather than just paramedics. The idea is that this will free up paramedic resources, by including additional assistants, and ensure that the Durham Dales are receiving the same level of service as the rest of the North East.
The Head of NEAS Emergency Care, claimed that the changes have already started to have an immediate impact. Staff overtime rates have fallen significantly, and the addition of an emergency care assistant driving ambulances means that paramedics have been freed up to use their fantastic skills. By 2017, the NEAS hope to have a full quota of paramedics on call; which in turn will help them to provide a fantastic service to the Durham Dales.
