A Cumbrian MP has taken his campaign to protect volunteer mountain rescue teams from proposed registration costs to Westminster.
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron used a Westminster Hall debate to warn that proposed changes could leave mountain rescue teams facing bills of up to £20,000 to provide first aid at community events.
He told MPs that there are five teams in his constituency, 12 across Cumbria and around 47 nationwide which could be affected.
Under proposed amendments to the Health and Social Care Act, any group providing first aid at an event with a medical professional in the organisation must register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Mr Farron said: “I utterly value the intervention and support of the mountain rescue teams in keeping us safe.
“We reckon, however, that CQC registration could cost an estimated £10,000 to £20,000 in total, admin charges included, for each of those mountain rescue teams.”
The MP claims that the volunteer-led teams wouldn't be able to "sustain their level of operation," forcing them to withdraw from community events entirely.
He said: "The events would have to take on professional and much more expensive cover by people who would not be able to get up the fell anyway.
“As has been mentioned by others, mountain rescue would still be called out if someone ended up involved in an accident halfway up or at the top."
Mr Farron is calling on the Government to introduce a "proportionate, risk-based exemption for volunteer rescue teams."
Responding to Mr Farron, the Minister for Local Transport, Lilian Greenwood, said: “Many honourable members have raised concerns about potential regulatory changes that may affect the work of mountain rescue, principally, the removal of regulatory exemptions around Care Quality Commission registration.
“The Care Quality Commission will commence a consultation from May 8 to June 12, which will provide further opportunities for groups and individuals affected to discuss their concerns.
“I hope that I can offer some reassurance to honourable members that that will include a separate stream specifically for mountain rescue, made up of focus groups and wider engagement.
"That feedback will then inform how the changes will be implemented to avoid such groups being disproportionately impacted, including through new guidance being developed by the CQC.”
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