South Central Ambulance Service Support the Award Winning ICE Bus

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) are pleased to announce that the Home Office Tilley Award was awarded to a Southampton Project, led by Southampton City Council, and supported by various partner organisations including SCAS, for the partnerships work in Night Time Economy to reduce crime and disorder since 2009. This is a home office award which was hotly contested and this Southampton scheme was shortlisted among hundreds of nominations from across the country.

Rob Kemp, Hampshire Area Manager said "We are pleased and honoured to accept this award on behalf of all those at SCAS who have contributed to the success of this project".

The nomination from Southampton showcased partnerships like the ICE (In Case of Emergency)bus, Yellow Card scheme, Taxi Marshals and Street Pastors.

SCAS supports the ongoing work in the city and actively supports the ICE bus which has now been in operation for 2 years. The ICE bus is a special resource dedicated in part to reducing demand on A&E through providing on the scene care and treatment to patients injured or ill in Southampton city centre. This ensures that all patients get the right treatment dependant on what is wrong and ensures that those patients who are injured in the city centre on busy nights are not using 999 or taken to A&E unnecessarily. The medical care and treatment at the ICE bus is provided by Emergency Care Practitioners and Paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service. This year the ICE bus has led to a reduction of 22% in hospital admissions with alcohol related injuries.

Councillor Royston Smith said, Leader of Southampton City Council, said: "I am very proud that we have won the prestigious Tilley Award from the Home Office. "It puts Southampton on the map as a role model in tackling crime and setting best practice in partnership working. We were selected from more than one hundred applicants in the whole country and won first prize out of the eight finalists. This award acknowledges the concerted effort all Safe City partners give every night in the city centre to continue to keep residents and visitors safe in Southampton."