LIVES service featured in report from England’s Chief Medical Officer
Chief Medical Officer highlights work of LIVES responders in major report on rural health services
LIVES’ Community Emergency Medicine Service (CEMS) has been featured in a report from England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty visited LIVES earlier in the year to meet the charity’s team and learn about the charity’s work supporting rural communities.
The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2026, Health in Rural Areas and Small Towns, examines the distinct health and care needs of rural communities. It highlights challenges
including an ageing population, long distances to services and limited public transport, and calls for healthcare and training to reflect the realities of rural life. The report also highlights
how LIVES clinicians bring care closer to people across rural Lincolnshire.
CEMS clinicians attend medical incidents across Lincolnshire, providing care in people’s homes and communities. This can make a difference in a county where long distances can make it harder to reach emergency services.
The report says that CEMS attended 3,500 incidents in the year that it covers. It also says that 75 per cent of patients were treated without needing to go to an emergency department, saving the health economy an estimated £2.7 million.
Daniel Sedgewick, Medical Director at LIVES, said: “We’re pleased that our Community Emergency Medicine Service has been featured in the Chief Medical Officer’s report. In a large rural county like Lincolnshire, getting to the right care can be difficult. CEMS brings experienced clinicians and the equipment they need into people’s homes and communities, so patients can be assessed and treated closer to home when that’s appropriate. We’re proud of the work our teams do alongside the NHS and ambulance service to support people across the county.”
Nikki Cooke, Chief Executive of LIVES, said: “This recognition means a great deal to everyone at LIVES. It highlights what a local charity can achieve by working alongside the NHS to bring care closer to people in our communities. It also reflects the commitment of our clinical teams, volunteers, staff and supporters, whose work and generosity help LIVES be there for people across Lincolnshire.”
CEMS teams include doctors, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, and clinicians with nursing and paramedic backgrounds. To support LIVES’ work bringing care to communities across Lincolnshire, visit lives.org.uk/support-us.