"This is about levelling up care" - South East ambulance services join forces in first of its kind partnership in England
Two ambulance services have joined forces with the aim of providing consistent care to patients across the South East.
South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) have announced they will be coming together to form the South Central and South East Ambulance Group. The two trust will continue to be run independently but they will work closely together to share expertise and ensure patients receive the same level of care.
It is a move that has been welcomed by NHS England and treated with cautious optimism by the trade union, UNISON, who want to see workers and patients prioritised in the merger.
The group model is the first of its kind in England with the Trusts looking to collaborate on key priorities such as digital innovation, clinical best practice, and workforce development.
David Eltringham, chief executive of South Central Ambulance Service, said: “This is about levelling up care for every patient in the South East. Demand on our services is rising, and this model gives us the ability to respond more consistently, use our resources more effectively, and make sure patients receive the same high standard of care wherever they live.”
The new group will be brought in in phases from late this year through to 2027. As part of the change a new leadership model will be introduced for the group with a Chief executive and chair supporting both trust to enable greater strategic coordination.
Simon Weldon, chief executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service, said: “This is a forward-looking partnership designed around patients and our people. Together we can build stronger teams, provide better support for our staff, and ensure ambulance services across the South East are fit for the future.”
A spokesperson for NHS England highlighted the positives the new group can bring to patients. Anne Eden, regional director for NHS England in the South East, said: "The proposed move to a group model for our region’s two main ambulance service providers is a real opportunity to improve care and access for our patients, while offering better value for money.
“A shared leadership model will ensure both services are fit for the future as the NHS continues to transform to deliver now and in years to come."
UNISON responded to news of the new partnership by flagging that patients and staff must be prioritised as pressure mounts on workers.
Maggi Ferncombe, UNISON South East regional secretary, said: “Efforts to improve patient care and make ambulance services more resilient should always be a priority. But this mustn’t be at the expense of the staff who keep services running.
“Ambulance workers across the South East have faced years of intense pressure and growing demand. Any merger or new way of delivering ambulance care must protect jobs, pay, and conditions
“Any changes must genuinely deliver a better service for staff and patients alike. It’s also vital ambulance workers and their unions are involved at every step of the way.”