Ambulance chiefs set out role of ambulance sector in reducing inequalities

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives has published a consensus statement that sets out a shared commitment to strengthening the role that everyone working in the ambulance sector can play in reducing health inequalities.

Working with leaders of Integrated Care Systems (ICS), ambulance chiefs are seeking to support improvements across communities and identify opportunities for ambulance services to target interventions with vulnerable groups.

While much work has already been done by the ambulance sector, the statement includes a new framework to set out how its contribution can be strengthened. Part of this is the need to increase awareness of the role of ambulance services in reducing inequalities within ICSs and how they can contribute to joint forward plans and address priorities.

The statement includes four overarching objectives where a national strategic work plan and new network focused on reducing health inequalities will lead to the delivery of a trust-level practical toolkit and all ambulance services will be encouraged to undertake a baseline review to determine the level of maturity in this space.

AACE Chair Daren Mochrie said,

“While ambulance services cannot resolve these health and care inequalities alone, they can play a major role as part of a wider effort by ICSs to help try and achieve a more balanced and equitable outcome for these groups.”