New St John Ambulance contract supports NHS throughout the East of England
Monday, 16 May, 2011
St John Ambulance has been awarded a contract to deliver ambulance services across the East of England.
The leading first aid charity has been selected for the approved providers list by the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. The list is a framework agreement covering quality standards, costs and other aspects of operations. It will be used when additional ambulances and trained staff are needed by the Trust for both routine work and in times of extra pressure such as severe weather.
The contract will cover the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Essex.
Simon Dunn, Head of Service Delivery from St John Ambulance, said: 'We are the only voluntary ambulance service to be successful in this tendering process, which we are of course delighted about. Our network of facilities and vehicles and our highly trained staff and volunteers stretch across the whole of the Trust area. Of course we have been active in supporting the community through the provision of ambulances, training and medical cover at public events for many years. Being on the Trusts framework will enable us to continue to provide this vital support to the Trust. Any profits from this contract will contribute directly to our charitable work, helping us to be the difference between life and death in communities across the nation.'
Alan Whitehead, General Manager of the Operational Improvement Team for EEAST, said: 'EEAST, like many ambulance services, has used private and voluntary providers, including St John Ambulance, for a number of years to support its operations and enable increased flexibility and capacity. Following review, a rigorous tender process resulted in eight providers being selected to continue this support. EEAST is pleased to be working with St John Ambulance and looks forward to continue forging a strong partnership for the benefit of patients in the region.'
