EMS collaboration

Emergency and health services in Yorkshire and the Humber have committed to a deeper level of collaboration that aims to increase the quality of life for local people.

Launched on Tuesday 21 November 2017, the Yorkshire and Humber Emergency Services Prevention and Early Intervention Consensus Statement has been co-ordinated by Public Health England (Yorkshire and the Humber).

Among the signatories are Chief Constable Dave Jones from North Yorkshire Police, Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, Chief Fire Officer Nigel Hutchinson from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Rod Barnes, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Police, ambulance and fire and rescue services share a long history of effective collaborative working, and the signing of the new consensus statement to extend this partnership approach is the first such regional agreement in the country. With demand for health and social care rising, the main focus of the emergency services is to use their joint intelligence and skills to support communities with ill-health prevention and early intervention where problems are identified.

This includes greater sharing and development of referral pathways into key services such as falls prevention and support for mental health, alcohol and drug problems, advice to keep homes warm and social support to combat loneliness and isolation.

Chief Constable Dave Jones said: “Emergency service teams come into contact with vulnerable people every day and see health inequalities and social challenges first-hand. By tackling these issues jointly and more effectively, the main aim is to improve the quality of life for individuals and families. This new active prevention and early intervention approach in our region will also reduce demand on the already busy emergency and health services.”

Rod Barnes, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “This is a great opportunity to work together even more closely and deliver greater support to the most vulnerable members of our communities. By coordinating our efforts we stand a better chance of addressing widespread health and wellbeing problems and improving the quality of people’s lives.”