A cost-benefit analysis of partnership working between fire and rescue and health services across England and Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sara, Waring, Jones, Alaw and Waring, Sara ORCID: 0000-0003-1625-5705 (2023) A cost-benefit analysis of partnership working between fire and rescue and health services across England and Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic. BMJ Open, 13 (7). e072263-.

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Abstract

Objectives: Fire and rescue services undertook a range of additional activities to support the National Health Service (NHS) in managing extreme service demand. This study aims to examine the cost-benefit of partnership work between fire and rescue services and the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic. Setting: England and Wales. Design: A cost-benefit approach was used. Data relating to resources and outcomes was accessed from a National Data Portal commissioned by the National Fire Chiefs Council to record fire and rescue service responses throughout the pandemic. Literature-based economic estimates were applied to establish the potential cost benefits of fire and rescue services undertaking support activities. Results: Fire and rescue services commonly undertook eight activities to support ambulance services and hospitals in three key areas: i) driving ambulances, ii) provision of personal protective equipment for health care workers, and iii) mass testing and mass vaccination. Benefits outweighed costs for all activities. Total costs were estimated at £93.26 million and total benefits were between £171.46 million and £1.10 billion. Conclusions: This is the first economic evaluation of partnership working between fire and rescue services and health services during a pandemic. Findings highlight the social and economic value of cooperation between fire and rescue services and the NHS and provide important evidence for informing public sector decisions regarding the allocation of resources in future public health crises.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Covid-19, Health economics, Health policy
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	30 Jun 2023 07:09
Last Modified:	12 Oct 2023 15:53
DOI:	10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072263
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3171371