Point Taken

Community organisations and public service bodies throughout Cumbria have thrown their weight behind North West Ambulance Service’s (NWAS) revolutionary “Point Taken” campaign. This aims to allay the fears of those living in rural communities that an ambulance will be unable to find their property in the case of an emergency.

The campaign, launched as a pilot in the county on May 27, sees NWAS encouraging any member of the public who may have such a concern to make contact and begin a process which will ensure their property is visible on the computer system.

Preparatory work has shown that over 99% of Cumbrian properties are instantly visible to the maps held in NWAS Emergency Control. But, to identify those which are more difficult to spot, they will use a variety of techniques to find it, even down to visiting the property and taking a grid reference number if necessary.

Any additional information which is needed will then be stored in their computer system alongside the telephone number and address of the property. Members of the public can register using one of three methods.

The preferred method for contact is using the online form at nwas.nhs.uk/pointtaken. You can also call 0845 1120019 to give details over the telephone or you can collect and complete a form which is available wherever a Point Taken poster is being displayed such as doctors, dentists and council offices.

The Trust is working closely with Cumbria County Council, the National Farmers Union (NFU), Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria PCT and the Diocese of Carlisle.