Ambulance Service Launches Public Consultation
West Midlands Ambulance Service is launching a three month formal public consultation on its future plans to become a foundation trust.
The plans which will see significant improvements to the way the organisation operates and is governed are set out in a detailed consultation document which is available to everyone who lives within the Region.
Although the Government set out in the recent White Paper on Health, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, that all NHS Trusts will become Foundation Trusts by 2013 at the latest, West Midlands Ambulance Service has been preparing its application for becoming an foundation trust for almost two years.
Trust Chairman, Sir Graham Meldrum, said: "The Trust Board believes that becoming an FT is the right way forward for the organisation, our staff and most importantly, our patients. We believe that moving to Foundation Trust status is an exciting opportunity for everyone to have their say about the way West Midlands Ambulance Service develops over the coming years.
"Given what is contained within the White Paper we believe we are ideally placed to take forward the organisation to FT status and ensure that we provide the right service for the people of the Region.
"Our vision for becoming a Foundation Trust revolves around two key words: Community: ensuring that we develop our service based on the views of the people we serve and Quality: delivering more choice, better facilities and improved services for our patients.
"Foundation Trusts are far more accountable to the communities that they serve. We already have a very good reputation for working with patient groups and engaging with local communities. Becoming an Foundation Trust will further strengthen this."
