EMAS has published papers for its Trust Board meeting held in public next week, including a report detailing the final recommendation made for its Being the Best change programme.
No decision has been made on the final recommendation and a decision will not be made until the Board has met on Monday 25 March.
Commenting on the publication of the Board papers, Phil Milligan said: “The aim of our Being the Best change programme has always been to improve response times to emergency 999 calls and to improve the working lives of our frontline staff.
“I am pleased our staff, and the people and organisations who have an interest in the service we provide have taken the time to be involved, to have their say and help to shape our plans.
“In the true spirit of consultation, that is what has happened. We’ve listened to the responses received during the consultation and we’ve developed and shaped our plans using that feedback.
“Our service has got to change if we are to improve. The decision we make on Monday 25 March has to be right for our patients and right for our staff. I am confident that we will get it right for the people of the East Midlands.”
After the Being the Best agenda item, the meeting will be adjourned so the final decision can be communicated with EMAS staff. Following that announcement a media opportunity will be available with EMAS Chief Executive Phil Milligan at Kings Mill Ambulance Station. This will be your opportunity to ask questions of the EMAS Chief Executive before he departs to resume the Trust Board meeting.
Interviews will not be given prior to the media conference due to demands on the Service. After Phil Milligan has returned to the Board meeting there will be no further media interview opportunities on this topic for the rest of the week, to allow us to focus wholly on delivering the emergency ambulance service whilst further developing plans.
Media wishing to attend the media conference should inform the EMAS Communications Team via email at communications@emas.nhs.uk, or telephone 07875 394418 / 0115 919 3456.
Background
In September 2012, East Midlands Ambulance Service launched a three-month public and staff consultation on proposals made to help improve response times to emergency 999 calls, and the working lives of frontline staff. The consultation gave local people the opportunity to share their views and help to shape the plans.
In January 2013, a Consultation Response Report was produced and published. It can be viewed here.
Workshops were held during January and March to further develop plans and get more views from people and organisations who work closely with EMAS. The information pack shared at these workshops can also be viewed on our website.
