NHS and Care Volunteer Responders Service

Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie Excerpts

Tuesday 20th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

There is a role for charitable organisations. One example is hospices. As I have been told many times in this Chamber, as well as outside it, many hospices and other charities, including air ambulances, welcome and relish the freedom they have as charities and do not want government funding or intervention. Of course, we very much respect and appreciate the role that the Air Ambulance Service plays. My own brother was saved some 10 years ago, so I feel very connected to this point. He is grateful, as am I.

[Baroness Fraser of Craigmaddie (Con)]

My Lords, I hear what the Minister says—that this is about a new scheme that will encourage volunteers within the NHS. However, sadly, data shows that instances of volunteering are declining across this country. Does the Minister know what measures will be put in place to ensure that all the volunteers who are currently on the scheme that is going to be closed are supported into whatever the requirements are in the new scheme? Having to go through DBS checks again, reapplying or anything like that might just put barriers in the way of supporting people who are already valued into the new scheme.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I understand that point. It is important to retain and develop people’s interest and commitment. The new portal will be a one-stop shop and will be much better at achieving what the noble Baroness and I seek. I know, having heard about it already, that it has functionality that is not there now. I cannot currently put in my postcode and find out what volunteering opportunities there are, which seems ever so basic—we do that on many other fronts. The new portal will allow that. In other words, the potential volunteers will find it much more accessible and will be matched better. The standards of recruitment will be higher and we will retain people. The noble Baroness makes a very good point—it is why NHSE has written to everybody on the old functionality.