News Release : 07 September 2001

AMBULANCE TRUST PLAN FLAWED, SAYS REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS QUESTIONED THE PROPOSED RESTRUCTURE of the eight ambulance services in the South East into three larger sub-regional trusts, arguing that the restructure could lead to an erosion of local accountability.

The Assembly's Executive Committee were responding to an invitation from the South East NHS Executive to comment on proposals for the reconfiguration of Ambulance Trusts in the South East. This invitation arises out of the greater collaboration between the Assembly and the South East NHS Executive following the launch of the Healthy Region Forum in the South East.

At present there are eight ambulance services in the South East consisting of Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex, the two shires (Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire) and the Isle of Wight. The proposed new arrangements would lead to the creation of three larger sub-regional trusts- one covering Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Northamptonshire, another covering Hampshire and Surrey and the third covering Kent and Sussex. The Isle of Wight service would remain part of the Island's healthcare trust.

Paul Bevan, Chief Executive, South East England Regional Assembly, said: "The Regional Assembly recognises the need to modernise the ambulance services. The South East needs an ambulance service which will deliver the best care for all its patients and will be able to attract and retain well-trained and highly motivated staff.

"However, the Assembly is concerned that the proposed larger Ambulance Trusts will not be able to deliver on what they promise. The South East NHS Executive believes that the reconfiguration will lead to higher quality of care, improved response time and greater staff recruitment and retention. Our concern is that while the creation of larger sub-regional trusts will deliver economies of scale, local knowledge and accountability for performance will be jeopardised."

The Regional Assembly will be submitting their views to the South East NHS Executive later this month.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
   
   
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
   
   
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
   
   
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
   
   
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

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