Primary responders are local 'lay' people trained to provide a rapid response in a local community to heart attacks, strokes and the like to give immediate care or resuscitation until an ambulance arrives.

At the moment, the Ambulance Service will provide training and equipment, but local groups are expected to raise the £1,600 or so for the defibrillator required for resuscitation.

Coun Jane Evison said: "Ambulance response times in rural areas are of great concern to us and we welcome the primary responder initiative which gives peace of mind to residents in rural communities.

"However, we would call on the Health Service to investigate whether they could fully finance the setting up of such teams in rural communities thereby not putting off people from joining the scheme with the worries of fund raising."

Coun Owen added: "I fully support the scheme, particularly in a large rural ward such as ours, and while accepting that there is an argument that parish councils and other local organisations may wish to help sustain such schemes with their own contributions, I feel that the initial set up costs should be met by the Health Service as, after all, such teams are helping to support that very service.

"I will certainly take the issue up with our health partners with my portfolio responsibility for partnership working on the East Riding Council's Cabinet."

Coun Evison and Coun Owen both expressed a hope that as many individuals as possible volunteer for any responder schemes being discussed in their area.

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