New East Lancashire ‘community paramedic’ one of first to be appointed in UK

Gary Organ, who has 12 years experience with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS), will work in the Pendle area.

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He will collaborate with other health workers to develop better care for patients with chronic and urgent problems, as opposed to purely responding to emergencies.

The first of its kind in the UK, the trust has developed a new Advanced Community Paramedic (ACP) role, individual clinicians who will work closely with communities it serves.

They hope the introduction of the ACPs will provide a stable central role in the community to add additional capacity as a 999 responder.

There are 12 areas within the region which have been identified for the scheme, and are a mix of remote rural, rural and urbanised areas.

Gary is one of the first three to be appointed – the others in Millom, Cumbria and Alsager, Cheshire. Director of operations, Derek Cartwright, said : “The trust recognised a need within some of the regions most isolated and busier areas for a dedicated clinician to forge proactive and positive relationships within communities.

“As an innovative new role, the Advanced Community Paramedics will become a familiar face in the area they are based; focusing on meeting the needs of patients.”

“We will monitor the progress of the roles closely over the coming months and we are sure they will be a great asset to the trust and most of all, to our patients.”

Russ McLean, chair of the Patient Voices Group in East Lancashire welcomed the appointment.

He said: “I know that NWAS, local commissioners and healthcare providers are currently trialling a range of initiatives to improve patient experience and I am encouraged to learn of these proposals.

“Any scheme which places additional clinicians at the heart of a community, right where they are needed, has to be brilliant news for patients and a good use of available resources at a time when all areas of the NHS are being squeezed.”