Warwick Medical School Launches Community First Responder Scheme to Support Emergency Care Across Coventry and Warwickshire

Warwick Medical School Launches Community First Responder Scheme to Support Emergency Care Across Coventry and Warwickshire

(IN BRIEF) Warwick Medical School has launched its Community First Responder scheme, enabling trained medical student volunteers to respond to 999 emergencies across Coventry and Warwickshire under the supervision of West Midlands Ambulance Service. Students operate a purpose-equipped CFR van funded through charitable and partner support, attending life-threatening Category 1 and 2 incidents since September 2025. University leaders described the initiative as an example of academic contribution to public health, while WMAS and partner organisations — including WMG, Coventry General Charities and LEVC — emphasised its importance for patient outcomes, skills development and sustainable emergency care. The programme will continue expanding while supporting research into pre-hospital response and community-based medical intervention.

(PRESS RELEASE) COVENTRY, 10-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Warwick Medical School has formally launched its Community First Responder (CFR) scheme, introducing trained volunteer medical students into frontline emergency response across Coventry and Warwickshire. Working in partnership with West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust (WMAS), the initiative enables uniformed students to attend 999 calls in a dedicated response vehicle equipped with critical life-saving tools including defibrillators and resuscitation equipment. All equipment has been sourced through charitable grants, donations and industry partners.

The programme, which began operationally in September 2025, is already responding to serious Category 1 and 2 incidents — from cardiac arrests and acute stroke symptoms to childhood injuries and cases involving loss of consciousness — operating jointly with WMAS paramedic teams on scene. Volunteers receive formal clinical training, welfare oversight and ongoing professional development, ensuring the scheme maintains NHS safety and care standards.

University leaders described the initiative as a landmark example of medical education contributing directly to public service. Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick, praised the students’ willingness to serve their local community at moments of critical need, calling the scheme an extension of the University’s mission to support the region. Dean Professor Gavin Perkins said the programme brings together clinical teaching, research and innovation and noted that it reflects Warwick Medical School’s commitment to excellence in pre-hospital care. Fourth-year student and volunteer responder Aidan Johal Baker highlighted the privilege of delivering frontline life-saving assistance while applying classroom-acquired clinical skills.

The scheme is supported by Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Coventry General Charities and the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), which supplied the CFR team with a low-emission VN5 van for operational deployment. Partners emphasised the value of collaboration between healthcare, industry and local organisations in enabling rapid emergency response and nurturing future clinicians. Chris Allen of LEVC described the scheme as a community asset making a tangible difference, while WMS Chief Innovation Officer Professor Simon Brake praised the commitment of students and ambulance partners. WMAS Chief Executive Professor Anthony Marsh called CFR programmes instrumental to patient care and a model of civic contribution. Dr Roger Davies, Chair of Coventry General Charities, said supporting the CFR initiative strengthens the city’s wellbeing and demonstrates student compassion.

Warwick Medical School will continue working with WMAS to expand capacity and explore research opportunities in pre-hospital emergency care, using outcomes from the programme to shape future emergency response models.

For more information please contact:

Matt Higgs, PhD | Media & Communications Officer (Warwick Press Office)

Email: Matt.Higgs@warwick.ac.uk | Phone: +44(0)7880 175403

About the University of Warwick

Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge conventions to create a better world.

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK