The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
An extra £9m is to be invested in the East Midlands Ambulance Service.
The ambulance trust has agreed terms with the Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for the extra funding this year.
Hardwick CCG manages the ambulance contract on behalf of 22 other CCGs across the region, including South Lincolnshire.
The additional £9m will be heading for investment into clinical staff, ambulances and other resources.
A cash boost will enable EMAS to respond more quickly and more consistently to 999 calls and urgent GP requests for ambulances.
There is also the potential to see the cash rise to £19m next year depending on performance targets being met and other financial agreements as part of the contract terms.
“I am delighted that, by working together with commissioners, we have identified and agreed the level of funding needed. We will be able to make significant
improvements to the quality of our services as a result, most notably in terms of being able to respond more quickly and more consistently to our patients,” said Richard Henderson, EMAS chief executive.
“People working at EMAS have worked tremendously hard to deliver a good service despite various pressures
relating to demand. It will be fantastic news to everyone that we will soon be joined by new colleagues and have access to additional opportunities for career development,” he added.
But he warned that the changes would not happen overnight and the focus over the coming months would be on recruitment and buying more ambulances and equipment.
There will also be discussions with healthcare partners to address issues including handover delays.
Ambulances across the region are out of action for 190 hours a day, on average, due to delays in handing over
patients to hospitals.
Christ Clayton, chief excutive for Derbyshire CCGS said: “We are pleased to have agreed new terms with EMAS.
“Our job as commissioners is to make sure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and well, giving all patients the best possible care.
The funding is linked to quarterly performance targets. Performance against the agreed targets will be published in future board reports for EMAS.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the service and meetings can see the website: www.emas.nhs.uk
