§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if an ambulance authority will be deemed to have met the eight minute target time for an emergency if attendance is by a volunteer under the first responder scheme. [145530]
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§ Ms Stuart[holding answer 15 January 2001]: Yes, providing any volunteer in a first responder scheme is equipped with a defibrillator, trained in basic life support and acting as part of an ambulance service's response system. A fully staffed and equipped ambulance must also arrive within 14 minutes in urban areas or 19 minutes in rural areas. What matters is that patients with life-threatening conditions or injuries get an emergency response as quickly as possible. Clinical evidence proves conclusively that early defibrillation and resuscitation saves more lives. Achievement of the eight minute target could save 1,800 lives each year in people under 75 years suffering acute heart attacks.