Publish date: 16 March 2023
A local mountain rescue team has been applauded by Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT for helping to reach vulnerable patients during severe weather.
Glossop Mountain Rescue Team (GMRT) came to the aid of the Integrated Urgent Care Team last Friday (10 March) as Glossop, Hyde and the surrounding areas were blanketed with thick snow.
The weather presented significant challenges, with many areas several feet deep in snow and impassable for vehicles, and was even more challenging to get to those in rural communities.
But the dedicated team of volunteers ensured technical care instructors were able to reach patients, many of who required vital medication.
Paula Bell, Integrated Urgent Care Team Lead, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team for their help.
“When we woke up to blizzard-like conditions, it was obvious we would need assistance and the volunteers were quick to respond to our call, making sure we were able to reach all patients who needed us.”
GMRT are run entirely by volunteers and rely on public donations. As well as assisting with callouts on mountains and moorlands, the team also work with the community to help scouts, guides, cyclists and much more.
Peter Jozefczyk, volunteer at Glossop Mountain Rescue Team, said: “We always stand ready to help those who need us and when we received the call to assist our local NHS, we were delighted to be able to help.
“The community is at the heart of everything we do and it was a pleasure to be able help the team to get to patients in hard to reach areas.”