Take over will create ambulance giant in SW
TWO ambulance services are to join forces and create a single trust for the South West after the bid was granted ministerial approval.
South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT) has been given permission to take over ailing Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS), creating an organisation which will serve over 5.3 million people.
It was announced yesterday that Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, had signed the deal and the new organisation would come into being on February 1.
Ken Wenman, interim chief executive of GWAS for the past year as well as chief executive for SWAFT, said: "I have met many skilled and committed clinicians and managers within GWAS, mirroring the expertise I know we have in SWASFT. I am really looking forward to the great opportunity we have to take the best from each trust.
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"This will further improve the quality of care offered to patients."
The possibility of a merger was raised more than a year ago when SWASFT threw its hat into the ring to merge with neighbours GWAS.
Comments
by Cerberus2010
Saturday, January 12 2013, 4:36PM
“Let's hope there will be no more reports like this.....bigger isn't ALWAYS better....
The care watchdog has demanded improvements at a privately-run Devon ambulance service.
The Care Quality Commission raised concerns about the Four Counties Ambulance Service, based in Wilmington.
It has issued a formal warning to provider Rowan Griffiths for failing to protect the safety and welfare of clients.
Inspectors visited the service in November after concerns were raised and found that it was not compliant with seven essential standards of quality and safety.”