Agenda item

The Board received a presentation from Sarah Byrom, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust which gave an overview of the North West Ambulance Service and outlined the future plans in respect of:-

 

-                         the Strategic Vision and Values;

-                         the Foundation Trust Application; and

-                         Patient Transport Services.

 

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

 

·        Clarity was sought on the Foundation Trust status;

 

In response, it was reported that the Foundation Trust (FT) was an NHS organisation, first established in April 2004.  The FT operated according to NHS principles – free care, based on need and not on the ability to pay.  The difference with a FT was that it was run locally, with staff and local people as members, having a say in how they wished their services to be developed and it was regulated and monitored;

 

·        It was noted that Members should have received electronic versions of the consultation document.  However, feedback on the consultation could be given via the website;

 

·        It was noted that the annual budget was £250m and in the current climate of budgetary cuts clarity was sought on what the future funding for the service was likely to be.

 

In response, it was reported that it was unclear presently how emergency services would be commissioned.  However, there was a year and a half remaining of the current arrangements and wherever necessary, appropriate action would be taken;

 

·        Clarity was sought on how many volunteers there were in Halton.

 

In response, it was reported that this information would be circulated to Members of the Board.

 

·        In light of the budgetary cuts, it was suggested that the demand for emergency services would increase due to the impact the cuts would have on road safety and highways.  It was reported that the service had excellent information systems that looked at activities i.e. between November – January – there had been a high level of activity due to the severe weather conditions which would help to plan for increases in the service;

 

·        Clarity was sought on the FT having financial freedoms;

 

In response, it was reported that financial freedoms equated to freedoms to long term planning and the ability to reinvest to support service development which was supported by legally binding contracts;

 

·        Clarity was sought on where the ambulances were based in relation to Halton.

 

In response, it was reported that there were 140 stations servicing the area and a number of other small stations.  However, it was highlighted that ambulance crews went with their vehicle and wait in the best place to get to their destination quicker, therefore the location of the stations were not critical.

 

·        The proposed changes to the criteria for transport was noted;

 

·        Clarity was sought on how many ambulances serviced Widnes and Runcorn and whether the 8 minute response was applicable to these areas;

 

In response, it was reported that the number of ambulances servicing Widnes and Runcorn would be emailed to Members of the Board.  The 8 minute response was for a Category A patient and this target was met 98% of the time, and would remain until the end of March. On 1 April 2011 the categories would change and some Category A patients would become Category B and so on which would result in greater challenges.  However, it was highlighted that the service aimed to attend most people in the shortest period of time.

 

·        The Government proposals for the GP’s commissioning consortia was noted and clarity was sought on whether the ambulance service were working closely with GP’s for services in the future.

 

In response, it was reported that there had been no discussions with GP’s currently.  However, discussions were taking place in the U Care Network which was populated with GP’s and the Pathfinder Consortium in order to provided the best service for patients now and in the future.

 

·        Clarity was sought on whether the number of ambulance stations would be reduced;

 

In response, it was reported that discussions had taken place and it was likely that there would be a reduction.  However, a review was being undertaken to look at such things as the number, the size and location of the stations and where most emergency calls came from to ensure that they were fit for purpose in the future.

 

·        It was reported that the information collected by the service would be useful to the Safer Halton Partnership and it was suggested that it would be beneficial if such information was shared across the partnership, particularly in relation to alcohol and drugs.

 

In response, it was reported that this information could be shared with the Partnership.  However, it was suggested that in order to get a complete picture in relation to alcohol and drugs it would be beneficial to obtain information from Accident and Emergency Departments. 

 

·        The significant increase in the demand for the service during the severe weather in December 2010 and the actions that had been taken to address the demand was noted.  It was also noted that the service had purchased a number of 4 x 4 vehicles as a result of the severe weather in Manchester in 2009, which had been used for various activities i.e. to transport staff to Alder Hey Hospital during the severe weather this year;

 

In conclusion, the Board was advised that information would be shared with Members at the end of the review and any decisions made would be openly consulted upon.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)                     the presentation be received;

 

(2)                     the comments made be noted; and

 

(3)                     Sarah Byrom be thanked for her informative

              presentation.tive presentation.