Major transformation programme announced to improve patient care
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) and the 22 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) that commission ambulance care across the region have welcomed plans for a major programme of work that will improve care for patients across Kent, Surrey and Sussex and North East Hampshire.
The decision follows an independent review that looked at demand for and capacity to deliver ambulance services. The review looked to identify the resources required by SECAmb to meet rising emergency and urgent care demand and how best to deliver the new Ambulance Response Programme standards, which have been introduced to ensure patients get the right level of care at the right time.
The review identified the need for a rolling programme of investment to help address a number of challenges and implement changes that will improve patient care and experience.
This commitment from commissioners begins with additional investment of £10m for this financial year (2018/19), with similar levels of investment over the next two years.
The additional investment will enable SECAmb to:
- significantly increase the number of front-line ambulance staff on the road and in its Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs)
- ensure it has the right number of staff, with the right skills, to meet the changing needs of its patients
- improve its fleet, to ensure the Trust has the right number and type of vehicles available to respond to all categories of call
I am really pleased that by working closely with our commissioners over a number of months we have been able to agree and secure this vital additional funding. This is great news for our patients and staff and a positive move to ensure we are better placed to meet and tackle the demand and challenges we face in the years ahead.'
