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Two ambulance services facing “operational and financial challenges” have announced a collaboration that will see them work together for the benefit of patients.
The boards of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) recently agreed to work collaboratively across a number of areas.
The new approach will see the two services work towards the creation of a group model, where they will work together more formally while retaining independence.
With patients at the centre of this decision, the aim is also to improve the work experience of the services’ people, ensure they are more financially sustainable and help them deliver a service capable of meeting the needs of their patients, both now and in the future.
The approach, which was endorsed by the two trusts’ Boards on 29 November, will first see the collaboration appoint a new strategic lead to work across both organisations to develop a joint case for change, that will explore how the group model could work.
“As we take forward this new collaborative approach, we look forward to working with our colleagues at SCAS, forging new working relationships, sharing best practices and ultimately delivering the best care possible to our patients.”
Simon Weldon, Chief Executive Officer at South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
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