§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the length of training required to train firefighters to fulfil paramedic responsibilities. [85780]
§ Mr. LammyThere have been no discussions on this subject between the Department and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what contribution his Department made to the Bain report, with special reference to firefighters taking on paramedic duties; [85781]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about the possibility of using firefighters as paramedics. [85782]
§ Mr. LammySir George Bain's review is independent and I understand that he is still in the process of developing and refining his final proposals. Pre-hospital patient care is an integral part of the health care system, but firefighters can assist ambulance services by providing basic life support and defibrillation if that provides a faster response to life-threatening296W emergencies. This does not require the same level of training as that undergone by ambulance service paramedics.