Latest news from across the emergency services

Every morning, Emergency Services Times combs a significant list of sources to bring you the sector’s freshest news stories. Compiled into a single article, this daily news digest is an easy, single point of reference for emergency services news, saving you the time and effort of searching yourself. Don’t forget to bookmark this page and check back daily to stay abreast of the latest goings on in the emergency services sector.

Home Office launches consultation on transferring police powers to West Midlands Mayor

The Home Office has launched a six-week consultation on transferring police powers for the West Midlands to Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands.

If the transfer takes place, then the Mayor will become the policing body for the West Midlands and the Mayor’s functions would include the production of the Police and Crime Plan, setting the budget and appointing the Chief Constable. More via Emergency Services Times

Scottish Ambulance Service’s new Integrated Clinical Hub saves 18,000 ambulance journeys in just 4 months

Around 18,000 ambulance journeys have been avoided in the past four months thanks to the Scottish Ambulance Service’s new Integrated Clinical Hub (ICH).

The ICH, launched only one year ago, is made up of a multidisciplinary team of clinical advisors, advanced practitioners and GPs. More via Scottish Ambulance Service

APCC reacts to ‘sobering’ ONS drug death stats

The Association of Police and Crime commissioners (APCC) has issued a reaction to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) drug poisoning death figures, which reveal that 2022 witnessed the highest number of deaths related to drug poisoning since records began.

APCC Joint Addictions and Substance Misuse Leads and Police and Crime Commissioners, David Sidwick and Joy Allen said the statistics were “sobering” and complacency cannot be afforded. More via APCC

Partnership to develop low-cost biosensor to identify heart attack patients

A collaboration between academia, a UK metrology institute and the NHS has been awarded funding to develop a rapid low-cost sensor for use by paramedics and in ambulances to detect heart attack victims more quickly.

The technology would work by screening for proteins released into the bloodstream during a heart attack. More via University of Strathclyde

VRUs help prevent 3,220 hospital admissions – report

A new Home Office report evaluating the effectiveness of Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) has found that they have helped prevent 3,220 hospital admissions for any violent injury since funding began in 2019.

The report, compiled by Ecorys UK; Ipsos UK; the University of Hull; and the University of Exeter, comes four years after VRUs were first introduced. More via Emergency Services Times

East of England Ambulance Service to expand Hellesdon site

A fresh attempt from the East of England Ambulance Service Trust to improve its emergency response services has been given the go-ahead.

The NHS has agreed to fund an expansion of the trust’s operations centre in Hellesdon as part of its urgent and emergency care recovery plan. More via Norwich Evening News

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing responds to the National Security Act

The Head of Counter Terrorism Policing has said the new National Security Act “is significant for the safety and security of the UK”.

Matt Jukes said “policing will now have stronger avenues to detect, disrupt and prosecute state actors who carry out acts of espionage, foreign democratic interference, spreading disinformation, and assassinations”. More via Counter Terrorism Policing

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s budget to rise by 8.4% next year

The budget for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is due to rise by 8.4% next year.

Councillors on the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority agreed a figure of £68.55m at a meeting on December 18 – £5.3m more than the current financial year. More via Wales Online

Police Scotland to roll out body cameras from next summer

Police Scotland will start the roll out of body-worn cameras from next summer, the force’s chief constable has said.

Jo Farrell said the technology would help secure “better and quicker” outcomes for victims of crime. More via BBC News