GWAS – the future The proposed acquisition of GWAS by SWAST

The current position Ambulance Quality Indicators – response and beyond Centre of excellence for 999 handling Clinical excellence:  Clinical Indicators: stroke, heart attack, diabetes, asthma  Cutting edge work: dementia and ‘end of life’ care  Research: REVIVE - airway study PTS contracts OoH service

Why is GWAS proposing this change? Smallest ambulance trust in England Difficulties in recruiting & retaining Execs/CE Relatively high-cost service (higher than average % spent on management functions) Limited capacity to invest in service improvements Public sector spending review requires year- on-year efficiencies Required to be an FT (or part of an FT) by April 2014

How did GWAS reach this decision? August 2011 – GWAS announced no longer working to become an FT and that it was looking for a partner September 2011 – replies from all ambulance trusts following invitation to express interest in partnering GWAS collated October 2011 – GWAS confirmed that SWAST had expressed an interest in acquiring GWAS and that they are the preferred partner

Why would SWAST make a good partner? One of the best performing ambulance trusts One of the first ambulance trusts to get FT status Similar clinical and operational priorities Shared boundary lines Strong existing relationship

Benefits Improved services for patients Improved ability to meet key performance and contractual targets More robust organisational model A more robust financial position Ability to pursue innovation and continuous quality improvement More economic and efficient fleet management and logistics

Who is involved? NHS South of England (SHA) SWAST GWAS NHS Gloucestershire and Swindon

Overall objectives To provide a solution that delivers: Consistent high-quality, locally responsive and trusted care to patients across the South West Ensure long-term sustainability and financial strength Provide better value for money for commissioners By: Creating a single ambulance trust providing services across the South West within Ensuring that all stakeholders are meaningfully engaged and informed

What has happened so far? October to December 2011 – Due diligence undertaken 21 December 2011 – SWAST confirmed they will be proceeding to the next phase January 2012 – integration planning has begun

The existing GWAS map

The existing SWAST map

Key facts GWASSWAST Size of area covered3,000 square miles6,600 square miles Number of residents2.4 million2.9 million (plus 17.5 million visitors) Number of employees1,645 (FTE)2,200 (FTE) Total number of community responders (including CFRs, other emergency organisations and non-clinical staff) Number of operational sites – including headquarters and airbases3374 Number of operational ambulance stations3065 Number of control rooms32 Number of emergency calls responded to in ,000397,913 Number of out-of-hours/urgent calls dealt with in ,000204,245 Number of PTS journeys carried out in ,000304,000 % of CAT A responded to within 8 minutes %76.8% % of 999 CAT A calls backed up by ambulance within 19 minutes95.1%96.1% % of CAT B calls responded to within 19 minutes91.4%95.6% Number of operational emergency vehicles192 plus 3 helicopters457 plus 4 helicopters Number of PTS vehicles115108

Next steps Development of business case Third party reviews Stakeholder engagement Integration planning – has to commence before final decisions made Membership recruitment SWAST final decision Secretary of state decision to dissolve GWAS New organisation begins operations

Sharing our plans Using existing channels HOSCs (inc JOSC) LINks (inc joint working group) External reference group Website Media relations Working with our NHS colleagues Membership recruitment

GWAS – the future Discussion