In a heartfelt letter to ambulance trust chief executives, Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care, has praised the indispensable work of ambulance volunteers, particularly Community First Responders (CFRs), across the UK.
With over 9,000 volunteers embedded in ambulance services, their contributions are not merely supplementary, they are fundamental to the safety and resilience of communities nationwide.
The minister’s letter follows the release of a groundbreaking 2025 research report by King’s College London, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and supported by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). Conducted between February and April 2025, the study aimed to build a robust evidence base for the critical role CFR volunteers play in the healthcare system.
The research, spanning five ambulance trusts – East of England (EEAST), North West (NWAS), South East Coast (SECAmb), South West (SWAST), and Yorkshire (YAS) – offers compelling insights into how volunteers enhance ambulance services and community care.
Key findings: CFRs transform ambulance services
The King’s College report underscores the transformative impact of CFRs, particularly in reducing response times and improving patient outcomes. Key findings include:
• Faster response times and reduced hospital conveyance: CFR attendance significantly shortens response times for Category 2 and 3 incidents (urgent but non-life-threatening cases). When CFRs are first on the scene, there’s a higher “See & Treat” rate – meaning more patients are assessed and treated at the scene without needing hospital transport. For Category 2 incidents, there’s a lower rate of conveyance to non-emergency departments, while Category 3 incidents see fewer transports to emergency departments. More data and research is required, although early findings suggest that this efficient use of resources can save approximately one ambulance resource for every five Category 3 incidents attended by a CFR.
• Rural impact and community resilience: CFRs are particularly vital in rural areas, where they attend a higher proportion of incidents, leading to faster response times and stronger community resilience. This helps address geographical inequalities in access to emergency services.
• Addressing health inequalities: While CFRs have a strong presence in rural areas, the report highlights a need to expand their role in England’s most deprived urban areas, where health inequalities are more pronounced. These areas, often in the top 20% of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation, could benefit from increased CFR deployment.
• Volunteer fulfilment and staff acceptance: CFRs find their roles deeply fulfilling, offering opportunities to connect with communities during critical moments. The role is increasingly valued by professional ambulance staff, who now see volunteers as complementary partners rather than competitors.
• Resource and leadership needs: The report emphasises that CFR programmes require significant investment in training, resources, and leadership from ambulance trusts. Moving from paper-based to digital record-keeping and improving data collection could further enhance their effectiveness.
Ministerial support and a call to action
In her letter, Minister Smyth commended the ambulance trusts for their participation in the research and their efforts to align volunteering strategies with the NHS’s 10 Year Health Plan, which emphasises community-based care.
She urged services to explore innovative ways to harness volunteer potential, particularly to address health inequalities and improve outcomes in underserved communities.
We remain committed to ensuring that CFRs continue to have the greatest possible impact for the people and places they serve.
Peter Reading, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service and national ambulance chief executive lead for volunteering, echoed this sentiment in a letter to his trust’s CFRs:
Your dedication and compassion continue to make a difference to individuals during their most critical moments, providing comfort and reassurance. Your volunteering is truly inspiring, and we are honoured to have you as part of the team.
AACE’s perspective: Celebrating volunteer impact
Joe Crook, National Volunteering Lead at AACE, expressed delight at the minister’s recognition:
We are thrilled that the minister has so publicly acknowledged the vital role that volunteers play in the ambulance sector, both to the benefit of patients and to the wider NHS.
Their dedication and commitment is often humbling, which is why it is so important that their contributions are understood at government level.
Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE added:
Ambulance volunteers, particularly CFRs, are among the unsung heroes of the UK’s healthcare system. Their tireless dedication, compassion, and ability to act swiftly in critical moments are saving lives and strengthening communities.
With continued support and innovation, their impact will only grow, ensuring that every community – rural or urban, affluent or underserved – benefits from their extraordinary contribution.
Looking ahead: Strengthening the CFR role
The King’s College research not only highlights the current impact of CFRs but also points to opportunities for growth. Recommendations include improving data collection, enhancing training, and expanding volunteer deployment in urban deprived areas to tackle health inequalities.
As the NHS continues its shift toward community-based care, CFRs will play an increasingly central role in building resilient, equitable healthcare systems.
