A joint emergency services project has won a national award

The partnership project between three emergency services has won a national award after joining forces to take patients to hospital. East Midlands Ambulance Service, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service (LIVES) were shortlisted by the Health Service Journal Value in Healthcare Award.One of the judges said: “This project was very innovative and nationally significant; it addresses a public sector efficiency challenge and acute service.”Having been awarded £429, 000 to develop a one year pilot, fire, ambulance and local voluntary services worked together to design a service that would improve the efficiency and quality of responses to medical emergencies.The project works on a simple idea: fire and rescue services respond to life threatening medical emergencies prior to the arrival of an East Midlands paramedic.It is currently operating in Lincolnshire but working with East Midlands ambulance teams.Steve Pratten, EMAS Community Response Manager, said: “We were delighted to be involved in launching such a ground breaking initiative which several UK ambulance and fire services are considering introducing in their areas. Receiving this prestigious award really is the icing on the cake for everyone who worked so hard to make the scheme a success.”All of the crews are trained in the first person on the scene and are given an additional five days’ ambulance aid training.Councillor Sue Woolley, executive councillor for NHS liaison and community engagement, said: “I am delighted for everyone who has been involved in this ground breaking project which has, without a doubt, enabled us to save lives.”Divisional commander at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, Sean Taylor, said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve won this award. It demonstrates how the emergency services are working together to deliver the best service possible for the residents of Lincolnshire.”