Your Service, Your Call

A greater say is being given to the public
to shape the future of South East Coast
Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) as it
moves towards becoming a foundation trust.

SECAmb launched its 12-week consultation
on plans to become a foundation trust at
the end of July. During the consultation period, residents of Kent, Surrey and Sussex - along with residents from the parts of Berkshire and North East Hampshire which receive SECAmb services - will have an opportunity to give their
views on SECAmb's plans for the future as well as sign up to become members of the new Trust. By registering as members,
residents, patients, SECAmb staff and representatives from partner organisations
will have a chance to be more involved in how 999 emergency healthcare services
are developed in the future. Also, as part of the consultation period, the Trust is holding a number of public
meetings and road shows across the region. This will give the public an opportunity to meet ambulance staff,
learn more about the services the Trust provides, learn vital life saving techniques such as CPR and find out
more about the Trust's foundation trust proposals.

SECAmb's Chief Executive, Paul Sutton said: "We want to deliver world-class outcomes for patients - they deserve
nothing less. Becoming a foundation trust will help us achieve this goal.

"Foundation trust status will give us the financial and operational freedoms needed
to make improvements that our patients need and deserve at a much quicker pace.
"It will also allow us to progress more rapidly with our plans to engage and educate communities on big killers such as stroke and heart disease. "We believe that with the public's help and involvement, we can develop our ambulance service into the best in the world.Your service, your call!"

Findings from the consultation will form part of the Trust's application to become
a foundation trust, which will be assessed by the independent regulator. The consultation will run until midnight
on Friday, 16 October 2009.