NHS 'challenges' force ambulance services to work together

In a joint decision, the boards of South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), which covers Oxfordshire and the surrounding area, and South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) NHS Foundation Trusts agreed on a new approach after dealing with "operational and financial difficulties".

The collaboration was agreed on Friday, November 29 and will see the Trusts aim to create a group model where they will work together more formally, while retaining independence. 

READ MORE: Image released of man following assault of Witney women 

Chief executive of Secamb Simon Weldon said: “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.”

The services said that patients are at "the centre of this decision" which hopes to improve the working experience of staff, make the services more financial sustainable and help them meet the needs of patients now and in the future. 

The first step in the collaboration is the appointment of a new strategic lead who will work across the organisations to develop a joint case for change and explore how the group model will work.

READ MORE: Storm Darragh: Schools close and trees sawed in Oxford 

The two trusts provide services across Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Medway, and Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire. 

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber you will get:            

• Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website        

• Advert-light access             

• Reader rewards             

• Full access to our app