Latest news with #medicalemergencies
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Plan to phase out South West co-responder service criticised
A union has warned some rural fire stations are at risk of closure due to a decision to phase out a role which sees firefighters be first responders in some medical emergencies in the south-west of firefighters are trained to co-respond to fire and medical calls but the South Western Ambulance Service Trust said this was no longer financially trust said it saved about £60 per call by using its voluntary community first responders, who are paid only Fire and Rescue Services Association said the viability of some fire stations depended on the payments received for delivering medical care. 'Absolutely aghast' Tristan Ashby, chief executive of the union, said: "Co-responder calls can very much outweigh the number of standard fire calls that a station receives, so in terms of the recruitment and retention for on-call firefighters, it is vitally important that we continue fire co-responders within the South West."We were absolutely aghast when we heard... that [the ambulance trust] wanted to make the move from the fire co-responders to volunteers."The union said it had been told the total annual savings projected by the ambulance trust was about £280,000It said the sum was "an extremely small amount of money within the grand scheme of fire service budgets". The trust did not comment on the total projected savings but said financial considerations were just one part of its decision and patients would benefit from a higher level of care from community first Ashby said the union was calling on fire services or the government to consider paying the trust to keep using fire and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said it was not aware of a payment to the ambulance trust being part of discussions so said fire co-responders had "carried out some amazing acts" in the 27 years they had operated in Devon and Somerset."We are saddened to see that South Western Ambulance Service will be phasing co-responding out," it said. 'Incredibly sad' Kathryn Billing, Cornwall's chief fire officer, said co-responders had worked with "exceptional dedication" and "saved countless lives"."I am disappointed by the decision to cease our co-responding agreement," she said."Our firefighters have provided a consistent, professional community response for nearly three decades."This is an incredibly sad end to a partnership which I know has made a significant difference to so many in our most rurally isolated communities. "I am incredibly proud of one and all who have been involved with our co-responders partnership over the past 29 years, the passion, pride and professionalism and the lives saved will not be forgotten by us nor the communities they serve." Training offered The ambulance trust said community first responders "receive an enhanced level of clinical training"It said: "As part of the transition, we have invited fire co-responders to train to become community first responders, so they can acquire new skills and continue to help support their local community in a medical emergency."The BBC has asked the government for comment.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
More UAE residents buying travel insurance when visiting home countries; here's why
The trend is growing among UAE residents to buy travel insurance, even when travelling to their home countries, due to increased awareness of potential risks such as medical emergencies, travel disruptions, or baggage issues, according to insurance industry executives. Outbound travel peaks during the summer, when schools are closed and many families visit their home countries to vacation with loved ones. Hitesh Motwani, Deputy CEO at said there is a noticeable trend of UAE residents purchasing travel insurance even when travelling to their home countries. 'This shift is driven by increased awareness of potential risks such as medical emergencies, travel disruptions, or baggage issues that can occur regardless of familiarity with the destination. The affordability of travel insurance also contributes to its growing adoption among travellers seeking comprehensive protection during their trips,' he said. Toshita Chauhan, business head of general insurance, said, ' Yes, we've definitely seen that shift. More and more UAE expats are buying travel insurance when flying back home for holidays — especially during summer, Eid, or school breaks.' She added that even if they're going somewhere familiar, many realise that medical expenses or flight delays aren't always easy to manage. 'The ease of comparing policies online and the affordability of plans has made it a convenient decision for most. Syrian insurance plan Syria is considered a high-risk destination due to ongoing political instability and conflict. Chauhan added that some travellers do buy travel insurance when flying to Syria, particularly for medical emergencies, trip delays, or baggage loss. Importantly, most travel insurance policies explicitly exclude coverage for war zones, areas under conflict, or destinations marked as high-risk by government advisories. She advised travellers that before purchasing a policy, travellers should confirm if Syria is included in the policy's coverage region. Due to the complex risk profile, travellers are strongly advised to proceed with extreme caution and ensure they have complete clarity on coverage terms before making the trip. Hitesh Motwani added that travel insurance coverage for Syria is generally limited due to its classification as a high-risk destination. 'Many insurers exclude war-prone countries from their standard policies, making it challenging to obtain comprehensive coverage for travel to Syria. As a result, most travellers to Syria may not purchase travel insurance, either due to limited availability or the perception that coverage won't be applicable. For those seeking insurance, specialized policies with higher premiums and restricted benefits may be available through select providers, but these are exceptions rather than the norm,' he added.
