Secamb to pool resources with neighbouring trusts

Secamb is to pool resources with its four neighbouring ambulance trusts

The South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) has announced a collaboration with four of its neighbours in a bid to drive down costs and improve patient care.

It will work with the East of England Ambulance Service, the London Ambulance Service, the South Central Ambulance Service and South Western Ambulance Service.

Called the Southern Ambulance Services Collaboration, the trusts will pool resources in areas such as buying equipment and training staff.

The specifics of the collaboration are still being finalised.

Secamb chief executive Simon Weldon said: “We all recognise the value in working together and are establishing the collaboration to work collectively to solve some of the biggest challenges the NHS has faced such as evolving patient demand and the pressing need to improve recruitment and retention issues.

“I am sure each organisation will benefit from the sharing of best practice and collective experience, and I know colleagues across Secamb will play a key role in the development of this work.”