The year 2021-22 was in many respects a year of uncertainty. Whilst more was known by April 2021 about the coronavirus, COVID-19, and the vaccination programme was proving hugely successful, the pandemic was far from over and it wasn’t clear when or how NHS services, staff and the UK population in general were going to recover.
Having stepped up to the mark as the pandemic emerged the previous year, ambulance staff were feeling the effects of their relentless endeavours to keep their patients safe, cared for and in receipt of timely treatment, in an NHS environment that remained extremely challenged.
Health and care systems were trying to get back to some kind of business as usual, similar to that we had known before, but with the benefit of hindsight in having experienced the pandemic so many had feared for years. Sadly, the realities of the impacts of the stringent control measures needed to curb the spread of the virus began to hit home and the NHS faced another mountain to climb.
In our review of the previous year, we focused very much on the impact of working in a pandemic on the ambulance workforce, hearing from individuals across a wide range of roles and functions.
For 2021-22, we focus on the work of our national director groups, and their sub-groups, the existence of which had more than demonstrated their worth during the pandemic in keeping people connected, supported, and informed in taking consistent approaches to managing the challenges all ambulance services were facing. Some of these groups provide a short overview in this report of their activities throughout 2021-22.
This work has continued with colleagues collectively seeking improvement in all that we do as a public service, despite the obstacles faced. These groups work together to seek out opportunities for positive change, and in doing so, continue to provide networks of support amongst peers.
On behalf of AACE, we commend all of our staff for their dedication to the sector and thank all those involved in providing leadership through our national groups and networks. We see the results of these efforts coming to fruition for our patients and our staff, sometimes against the odds.
Read the full Annual Report here, and please share with your networks.
Daren Mochrie QAM
Chief Executive, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) and Chair of AACE
Martin Flaherty OBE, QAM
Managing Director of AACE
