Larrey Society has “uncovered hidden support” for ambulance collaboration
Monday, 20 April, 2015
The Larrey Society, the first cross-sector “think tank” for shaping an ambulance service fit for purpose in the 21st century has quickly established a toehold of acceptance by the healthcare establishment in the two months since it was launched, its founder, David Davis, says in a progress report to members.
He goes on: “The Society has created a credible forum where individuals from every quarter of the community – legislators, regulators, the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors and paramedic educators, can for the first time put aside any historic political, commercial or social differences and sit together and share their views and ideas on a future ambulance service.
“The instant support has uncovered and brought to the surface hidden views that collaboration is the way forward to help enhance the ambulance experience for patients and ensure that taxpayers’ money is not wasted.
“Whatever the outcome of the general election, the ambulance service will have a new, exciting and pivotal role as the integration of emergency medical and social care services seeks to ease the pressures on hospitals.
“Change is already under way…. for example, ‘mobile treatment centres’ are currently being tested and NHS England is supporting the development of a ground-breaking mobile diagnostics service that will deliver laboratory standard test results outside of hospital and allow patients to be diagnosed and treated at the point of care.
“The implications of such changes are self-evident for ambulance providers and collaboration is one way to share the financial burden of increased investment in training qualified staff, the development of new-style vehicle fleets, technology and communications.”
Davis reports that the Society’s first members meetings have taken place and a research project is being planned seeking to identify the reasons why the performance of ambulance services vary in different regions of the country; it will almost certainly embrace the role of commissioners and the critical shortage of trained paramedics.
If available, the results will be discussed at the Society’s first annual event The EMS Conference – The Future of Emergency Medical Services on 21 September in central London. Confirmed speakers to date include Sue Noyes, Chief Executive East Midlands Ambulance NHS Trust; Professor Andy Newton, Chairman, College of Paramedics and President, The Larrey Society; Janette Turner, Senior Research Fellow School of Health & Related Research, University of Sheffield; Richard Hunt Chair, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust; and Clair Carson Acute Service Line Manager Pennine Care NHS Trust. www.thelarreysociety.org Membership is free
The EMS Conference – The Future of Emergency Medical Services – is on 21 September at the ICO Conference Centre, London. Special discounts for Larrey Society members. Booking Details
