Ambulance colleagues across the UK continue to deliver extraordinary care in the face of rising demand. While it is vital that this dedication is recognised, AACE’s role is to ensure the ambulance sector has the influence and communication channels needed to shape national policy and major decisions affecting how services operate and the care patients receive.
To deliver this, AACE works to secure the recognition, support and resources ambulance services need by influencing national decision‑making at the highest levels. This foundation underpins all of our engagement work across government, the NHS and the wider system.
Building strong political relationships
We maintain regular contact with influential politicians across England and the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including the Secretary of State for Health, government ministers and local representatives such as Members of Parliament, Members of the Scottish Parliament, Members of the Senedd and Members of the Legislative Assembly. This engagement takes place through regular face‑to‑face meetings as well as formal written correspondence, ensuring a consistent and constructive dialogue. Ministerial attendance at ALF conferences remains a key part of this work, helping ensure decision‑makers across all four nations understand the realities ambulance workers face.
Engaging with senior NHS and DHSC leaders
AACE meets frequently with the Department of Health and Social Care’s ambulance and urgent and emergency care teams, as well as NHS England’s Urgent and Emergency Care leadership. Our relationships with senior NHS England leaders have never been stronger, helping ensure the sector’s priorities and challenges are understood at the highest levels.
Influencing national strategy and improvement
We represent the ambulance sector in major national forums, including the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan Partners’ Council and the NHS IMPACT National Improvement Board. We also play a central role in NHS England’s culture review, with AACE Managing Director Anna Parry co‑chairing the implementation phase alongside the Royal College of Paramedics. Alongside this, we are continually scanning for new groups, programmes and areas where our involvement can strengthen the ambulance sector’s influence. Increasingly, we are also approached directly and asked to represent ambulance services on high‑level national forums. This presence is essential in a crowded health and social care landscape, where ambulance services form a relatively small but critical part of the overall system and where ensuring our members’ voices are heard is more important than ever.
Ensuring fair and accurate media coverage
AACE works proactively with national media to provide balance, context and transparency, challenging one‑sided narratives and protecting the reputation of ambulance professionals. We do this in close collaboration with each trust’s communications team, ensuring national messaging aligns with local realities and supports colleagues on the ground. This work is vital because misleading or inaccurate media coverage can unsettle staff and affect morale, making fair and accurate reporting an important part of supporting the wellbeing of ambulance workers.
Shaping policy and collaborating across the system
We coordinate detailed responses to national consultations, ensuring ambulance services have a meaningful voice before new guidance is issued. We also work closely with The NHS Alliance, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, the Royal College of Paramedics, and blue‑light partners including the National Fire Chiefs Council, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme to strengthen shared messages and improve interoperability.
AACE’s influencing work strengthens the sector’s voice in national decision‑making and helps secure the conditions ambulance services need to operate effectively.
For more information, contact AACE Head of Communications: carl.rees@aace.org.uk
