Working together to improve efficiencies

It was recently announced that the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust will be coming together to form an alliance across the North of England (Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), 2016). The services have said the launch of the Northern Ambulance Alliance will help to improve the efficiency of ambulance services in the areas covered by all three Trusts.

It is important to stress that it is not a merger but an attempt by all three organisations to work closer together to improve patient care. Additionally, it is felt the alliance should help identify savings through collaborative procurement and offer improved resilience. So, in effect, the boards of each of the individual Trusts will still have responsibility for their individual service, but will also consider the work and objectives of the Northern Ambulance Alliance when making decisions.