NINETEEN new lifesavers have completed training with Mersey Regional Ambulance Service qualifying them to administer life support.

The staff members from the non-emergency Patient Transport Service Team with Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust (MRAS) have undertaken comprehensive training in CPR and the use of an automatic defibrillator used to treat heart patients.

The 19 staff will be equipped to provide life saving support in the event of an emergency during the course of their day-to-day transportation of patients to and from treatment centres.

They are fitted with a pager alarm system, which alerts them to emergency calls within their range, allowing them to administer life support to patients while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

Staff underwent their training guided by the expertise of ambulance professionals.

Joe Barrett, MRAS locality manager for North Cheshire, said: "This is excellent news for both patients and the ambulance service in terms of boosting the trusts capacity to administer emergency treatment to patients.

"Well done to the Patient Transport Service Team for their efforts and commitment to the well, being of patients."