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First responders who have until now worked under the banner of the charity Magpas, transfer today to work with the East of England Ambulance Service.

Magpas Community First Responders have notched up an incredible 900,000 voluntary hours of community service for Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas - providing treatment to more than 12,000 patients.

For the past decade, Magpas has been working with the ambulance service to provide a service to the communities of Cambridgeshire.

In 2000, Magpas’ medical director Dr Mackenzie set out an ambitious plan to develop a network of volunteers trained and equipped by Magpas, through the generosity of the communities, to provide emergency lifesaving treatment to patients.

Quick and effective treatment of patients in cardiac arrest increases their chance of survival, and innovative ways of delivering this were at that time being established by the Department of Health through pilots in Essex, and through research undertaken in Europe.

In 2001 Magpas, in partnership with the ambulance service, launched its first CFR group in Doddington and Wimblington, having trained members of the community in first aid, oxygen therapy and defibrillation.

Since then, Magpas has launched 41 groups within Cambridgeshire and invested considerable finance and expertise in developing and expanding these schemes.

Working with the ambulance service it refined and developed ways of managing volunteers and ensure the highest level of care is available to the patients attended.

The Magpas volunteers have attended more than 12,000 patients and have been recognised through national awards from the Royal Humane Society for individuals who have saved patients lives in their community, and in the Investors in Volunteers Award from Volunteering England, showing how valued the volunteers are within Magpas.

Now, ten years on, effective from today, Magpas CFR schemes are joining forces to become part of the network of 250 groups within the East of England, managed by the region’s ambulance service.

Daryl Brown, the Magpas charity manager said: “This is a natural progression for the Community First Responder’s Scheme; we have watched and supported as, nationally, ambulance services have developed Community First Responders and felt it was the right time for the Cambridgeshire groups to join with the other 250 groups within the East of England.

"The commitment of our volunteers has been key to the success of Magpas over the past 40 years. I would like to thank all of the first responders for their dedication to saving lives in their communities and wish the scheme every continued success under the leadership of the ambulance service.”

Paul Leaman, the ambulance service’s associate director for operational partnerships, said: “The East of England Ambulance Service recognises the contribution that Magpas has made in developing a standard for the Community First Responder Scheme and we look forward to welcoming the 41 Magpas groups into the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. “

All groups will continue to operate in their communities providing lifesaving treatment to patients at their time of need.

If you would like any information on the work of the scheme contact responderadmin@eastamb.nhs.uk or call 01284 731802