Theo Weston of BEEP Doctors steps down after 30 years

Dr Theo Weston, founder of BEEP Doctors (BASICS Cumbria), left the role at the charity's recent annual meeting.

However, he will still serve on the committee, as a trustee, and continue to respond to incidents.

Dr Weston, who lives near Penrith, said: "It has been an amazing journey.

"Looking back to when I first set it up with a handful of people in the Penrith area 30 years ago, there is no way I would have dreamed it would become a Cumbria-wide organisation at the level and of the size it is now.

"I am hugely honoured and privileged that it has now developed into the type of organisation it is."

BEEP Doctors, all of whom are volunteers, provide 'enhanced pre-hospital emergency care' in Cumbria.

They work closely with emergency services such as the police, fire services, North West Ambulance Service, Great North Air Ambulance Service, and North West Air Ambulance.

At incidents, BEEP Doctors can carry out surgical procedures, including the insertion of chest drains, and some are able to perform pre-hospital anaesthetics.

They can also administer drugs like ketamine and fentanyl for pain relief and fracture manipulation, which most road crew paramedics are not authorised to give.

Many of the emergencies they attend are road traffic collisions, as well as incidents involving farms, pushbikes, horses, and water.

Dr Weston founded the BEEP Fund, as it was initially known, in 1994, replacing the Penrith and District Accident Scheme which had been jointly set up by his father, Peter, and Dr Hugh Barr.

Over the years, the organisation has grown from operating around the Penrith area to covering the whole of Cumbria, with 12 doctors now involved.

The name was changed to BEEP Doctors (BASICS Cumbria) in 2021.

Dr Weston said: "Stepping down as chair is part of my way of easing back as I head more towards full retirement.

"I am 66 and it is time for me to move on to do other things.

"In addition, the charity has also reached the level where I am confident that it will continue to grow in the future."

Dr Theo Weston MBE (Image: Supplied)

The charity has three emergency response vehicles, with a fourth on the way, thanks to donations.

Dr Weston has done thousands of hours of voluntary work for the BEEP Doctors, including attending two to three call-outs each week, plus administration and giving talks to groups in the county.

He said: "I do it primarily because of the huge joy and reward to see people arriving at hospital in a better condition than they would otherwise have been in."

Dr Graeme Spencer, the new chair of BEEP Doctors (BASICS Cumbria), said: "Firstly, on behalf of everyone, I would like to thank Theo for his extraordinary dedication and vision over the past 30 years."

"His leadership has inspired countless volunteers and saved innumerable lives, leaving an enduring legacy of compassion."

Dr Weston joined the Birkbeck Medical Practice at the health centre in Penrith as a full-time partner in 1992.

He retired from the practice seven years ago.

He was awarded an MBE in 2015 for services to emergency medical care and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 by BEEP Doctors’ national representative body, the British Association for Immediate Care.

In 2023, BEEP Doctors (BASICS Cumbria) were awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Aside from his medical commitments, Dr Weston enjoys sailing, canoeing, cycling, and fellwalking.

He said: "My wife and I have recently bought a little motor home and have a new Border Collie puppy and we plan to do some travelling around this country and in Europe."

So far in 2024, the BEEP Doctors (BASICS Cumbria) charity has attended 210 incidents and members have completed 736 volunteering hours.