Ambulance service becomes an NHS Foundation Trust
West Midlands Ambulance Service today revealed that Monitor, the regulator of NHS foundation trusts, has authorised the Service to become an NHS Foundation Trust.
The service has been working towards being authorised for nearly two years and has now met all of the challenging criteria required by Monitor.
The Trust is the fifth ambulance service of eleven to achieve NHS Foundation Trust status and becomes the 145th NHS Foundation Trust of all types.
Anthony Marsh, West Midlands Ambulance Service Chief Executive, said:
“Our staff have invested a huge amount of time improving still further, the clinical care to patients within the Region.
“The success of our application means we have met the relevant quality thresholds. Monitor is assured that our Trust is ‘well governed’ and ‘financially viable’. This stands us in good stead to invest in the future to enhance services locally.”
The Trust has already established a directly-elected Members’ Council consisting of 15 public and five staff governors together with appointed representatives from nine partner organisations.
The Members’ Council is working closely with the Trust Board to drive forward strategic planning for the benefit of patients.
Trust Chairman, Sir Graham Meldrum, added: “Achieving NHS foundation trust status will ensure the Trust is even more responsive to the needs of patients.”
