|
Evolving emergency services – the ASA merges with the NHS Confederation
 The NHS Confederation represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, and provides a strong independent voice for NHS leadership to help improve patient health and care. Now part of the NHS Confederation, the Ambulance Service Network will work to improve patient care by influencing policy and the public debate, supporting ambulance service leaders, and promoting excellence in employment.
The network board comprises ten chief executives and chairs (five of each) from ambulance trusts across the country and the network director. Philip Selwood, former chief executive of Great Western Ambulance Service, is acting as interim director until Liz Kendall takes up the role permanently in May.
The Ambulance board is chaired by John Burnside, chief executive of the North West Ambulance Service.
The new network will work closely with its members to develop the role of commissioning and the move towards foundation status, and to better provide care in local communities through strengthened governance and increased autonomy. Clinical issues, the call connect target and promoting excellence in employment will also be top priorities.
The NHS Confederation also supports member networks for a range of organisations that make up the modern health service – primary care trusts, foundation trusts, mental health services and independent sector providers.
The Confederation will continue the previous work of the Ambulance Service Association, particularly in networking and sharing best practice. The new network will organise AMBEX - the foremost pre-hospital and emergency healthcare forum in the UK - in Harrogate 24 - 26 June.
This year’s conference programme – Leading the Way in Emergency and Urgent Care – will examine how ambulance services can be at the forefront of the developments taking place in emergency and urgent healthcare provision, through sessions focusing on service delivery and clinical improvement.
Key sessions will focus on the NHS Review and Ambulance Services, examining trauma services, out of hospital care and skills for the future. Clinical areas such as stroke strategy and infection control will be explored, as well as the move towards world class commissioning. The event will also investigate the impact of issues on the ambulance service, from changing legislation and flooding, to the London 2012 Olympics.
The conference programme will offer opportunities for staff working in the emergency and urgent healthcare sector to showcase initiatives, case studies or work in progress that demonstrates high quality patient care in the UK and beyond. Proposals for presentations and posters are welcome from any individual, group, or organisation and especially from front-line staff.
AMBEX 2008 also features a comprehensive exhibition demonstrating a wide range of products and services for the sector.
For more information
For further information on exhibiting at, or visiting please see www.ambex.net . Online registration will be available from April.
|
