Ambulance Service Network responds to Conservative Consultation paper on urgent care
Thursday, 26 June, 2008
In response to the proposals launched by Andrew Lansley at the Ambulance Service Network conference, Liz Kendall, director of the ASN, says:
"The Ambulance Service Network welcomes the proposal to introduce a new single number for urgent care. This is something we, and other parts of the NHS, have been calling for to help patients get the right care in the right place at the right time."
"However, in order to deliver real benefits for patients, the single number must be backed up by urgent care services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This should include paramedics who can provide care in the community and patients' homes, as well as GPs, walk in and urgent care centres, minor injuries units, mental health and social care services and community nursing teams.
"Elements of this model are already being developed in parts of the country, showing how ambulance services can play a leading role in simplifying access to care and providing a wider range of services."
