Barry Stamp Welcomes News That Drugs Are To Be Returned To Community First Responders

10.08.00pm GMT Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Barry Stamp discussing the future of Staffordshire Ambulance Service with a member of the service

News that three of the drugs recently withdrawn from use by Staffordshire Community First Responders are to be reinstated has today been welcomed by Stafford's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson.

Barry Stamp said he was delighted to hear that the Ambulance Trust Board, which meets on Friday would be told that the drugs GTN, Salbutamol, and Entonox could be reintroduced in phased manner and following revised operating procedures and clinical indicators.

"I am extremely please to hear that after a review by the Trust, the Strategic Health Authority and the Director of Clinical Performance, of the legalities surround the use of some drugs by Community First Responders, a recommendation is to made that three of the drugs withdrawn last October are to be brought back into service. It is clear that Community First Responders play a vital role in providing medical support in many communities but it is important that this is done within the law so that there is no chance of any patient being put at risk. While I was disappointed that the drugs were withdrawn in the first instance it is clear this was done for the best of motives which had both the patients and the CFRs very much in mind. I am also pleased that the reinstatement of these drugs will involve some new operating procedures, administrative protocols, and clinical safeguards which all point to better protection for everyone involved. This move sends out a very clear message that the CFRs and they work they do are valued and are important to local communities. Bringing these drugs back into use certainly shows that the Trust and the Strategic Health Authority are willing to find ways round the problems that forced their withdrawal, so hopefully with more work the other withdrawn drugs will be brought back into use as well. GTN, Salbutamol, and Entonox are useful drugs and their reinstatement will certainly benefit many of the patients the CFRs treat," said Barry Stamp

"Over the past few weeks there has been a vocal campaign trying to link the withdrawal of these drugs with the future merge of the Staffordshire and West Midlands Ambulance Service. However today's news just shows how wrong people were to make that link," added Barry Stamp.