Keeping PACE archive

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Every quarter AACE publishes a selection of topical, national ambulance related news and reports for UK ambulance service employees. You can recap them here.

AACE - KEEPING PACE ISSUE 16 AUTUMN 10.2025Issue 16: Autumn 2025

  • The deadline is approaching for opinions on AACE’s five-year strategy – all UK ambulance service employees, volunteers and students have until 31 October 2025 to have their say and help shape AACE’s five-year priorities between 2026 and 2031. We want your insights on our strategic ambitions and how AACE can better support the UK ambulance sector.
  • New framework strengthens falls response across ambulance services to support integrated, person-centred care for older people and those living with frailty who have fallen or are at risk of falling.
  • How the UK ambulance sector is backing the NHS 10-year plan, highlighting its vital role in emergency and urgent care – and how UK ambulance services are uniquely positioned to deliver the Plan’s ambitions.
  • The 2026 CAHPO awards – AACE is making an early call for ambulance service colleagues across England to connect with their chief paramedic and begin identifying colleagues who could be strong contenders for the 2026 awards.
  • How inclusion and compassion can guide us through uncertain times – AACE MD Anna Parry reflects on her commitment to NHS ambulance services, and how in moments of crisis that anyone, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, or class, may need an emergency ambulance – and the responsibility that this carries.
  • Culture at the core: NIAS leading with compassion and courage – how Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is placing culture at the heart of its transformation journey, to build a healthier, more respectful and more connected workplace, one that supports staff and strengthens patient care.
  • Ambulance services support lifesaving training in mosques – how ambulance services working alongside BIMA volunteers to deliver essential lifesaving training in mosques, including how to perform CPR, use a defibrillator, and assist someone who is choking.

AACE - KEEPING PACE ISSUE 15Issue 15: Summer 2025

  • Violence against UK ambulance staff has reached record levels, prompting AACE to demand urgent national action. With support from all four UK health ministers and updated CPS charging guidelines, the sector is seeking stronger legal deterrents and faster justice.
  • England’s 10-Year Health Plan prioritises prevention, digital innovation, and community care over hospital-based treatment. It aligns closely with the ambulance sector vision, emphasising integrated urgent care, neighbourhood services, and system leadership.
  • New national guidance helps ambulance staff support patients with assistance dogs respectfully and safely. Launched at ALF2025, it emphasises allowing dogs to stay close, avoiding distractions, and considering their welfare during care.
  • The NASPF’s July 2025 workshop united 70 ambulance leaders and union reps to tackle sexual safety and misogyny. Anchored by AACE’s national approach, it emphasised lived experience, cultural change, and psychological safety.
  • AACE’s 2025 commissioning position paper calls for urgent reform of ambulance commissioning to align with NHS priorities for integrated, community-based urgent care. It proposes a national, regional, and local framework to improve consistency and accountability, reduce fragmented governance, and enhance patient outcomes
  • Staff support networks in ambulance services foster inclusion, connection, and shared advocacy across diverse roles. They empower staff through mentorship, workshops, and leadership opportunities, bridging gaps with senior teams.
  • Remembering Professor Douglas Chamberlain CBE, founder of paramedicine in Europe, transformed emergency care through pioneering training and advocacy. His legacy includes CPR education, academic contributions, and lifelong support for ambulance services.

AACE - KEEPING PACE ISSUE 14 SPRING 04.2025 FCIssue 14: Spring 2025

    • Delays in handing over patients to emergency departments continue to cause significant challenges for the ambulance sector, its patients and staff. In this article we explore the impact of ‘W45’ – rapid release protocols – and look at how its implementation affects patient care.
    • In 2024-25 over 22,500 reported incidents of violence, aggression and abuse aimed at ambulance people were recorded, the highest number ever. Find out what the data means and what AACE is doing to tackle this unacceptable situation at the highest levels.
    • Creating and nurturing working environments where everyone can feel safe, included, listened to, and able to develop themselves within the ambulance sector is a key AACE aim. Here are three useful resources that reflect the national work that is underway to create and effect this cultural change.
    • In March over 300 leaders from the ambulance sector and healthcare systems joined sponsors and speakers for the annual Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF) conference in Leeds. You can see what happened and catch up on the ALF event by accessing the agenda, conference session slides and the ALF2025 brochure.

AACE - KEEPING PACE ISSUE 13 WINTER 2024 HV_fcIssue 13: Winter 2024/25

    • The creation of a new 10-Year Health Plan for
      England has provided a timely opportunity for the
      ambulance sector to submit its ideas and help shape the future of the NHS. AACE has provided comprehensive input to the Change NHS consultation on behalf of all member ambulance services.
    • The new AACE Chief Paramedic Group marks a significant step forward for the profession. Focused on leadership, supervision and professional development, the group aims to recognise the skills and experience that chief paramedics can bring at ambulance board level whilst strengthening collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
    • The National Ambulance Uniform User Group (NAUUG) works on your behalf to improve the uniform offer for staff across the sector. Female fit trousers will be added to the catalogue this year but there is much more to do and we will be rebooting the group, welcoming applications to join from all staff.
    • Listen or watch a podcast on the challenges facing the ambulance workforce and the future of UK ambulance services featuring the CEO of The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC) Karl Demian jointly-interviewing AACE Chair Jason Killens and AACE Managing Director Anna Parry.

AACE - KEEPING P'AACE ISSUE 12 AUTUMN 2024 F1 fcIssue 12: Autumn 2024

    • Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, gives a welcome message to all Keeping PAACE readers, describes his career to date and outlines his vision for the future of the ambulance sector.
    • National Ambulance Network Chair for Freedom to Speak Up and FTSU Guardian for South East Coast Ambulance Service Kim Blakeburn discusses the importance of speaking up if we are to improve culture and safety across the ambulance sector.
    • ALF 2024 – over 1000 delegates joined this year’s AACE Ambulance Leadership Forum – an inclusive, online event with free access to all ambulance service staff and volunteers. The theme was, ‘Leaders at all levels’ with a wide range of speakers discussing leadership from a cultural, clinical and strategic perspective.
    • Liam Sagi, AACE national strategic lead for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, gives a fascinating update on the national work focused on reducing inequalities in OHCA which aims to improve outcomes for patients as well as experiences for bystanders and staff.

PAACE Summer 24 front coverIssue 11: Summer 2024

    • The new #WorkWithoutFear campaign – to highlight the profound impact of abuse on the everyday lives of ambulance staff.
    • How ambulance volunteers are really playing their part – ahead of the Phase 2 of the national volunteering strategy, we take a moment to reflect on the importance of volunteers and the progress made.
    • How Armed Forces Week provided the perfect opportunity to highlight the work of the various armed forces networks within UK ambulance services.
    • An invitation to the Ambulance Leadership Forum – ALF 2024 takes place on Tuesday 8th October 2024. It will be online – and it is free to attend.
    • Ensuring the ambulance sector is firmly on the political radar – AACE’s asks of the new government, which will underpin our ongoing liaison with new ministers at both national and local levels.

AACE - KEEPING P'AACE ISSUE 10 SPRING 2024 F fcIssue 10: Spring 2024

  • Diversifying union stewards – what unions like UNISON are doing to create a sense of belonging in the ambulance workforce.
  • Out of hospital cardiac arrest and health inequalities report – supported by NHS Charities Together, AACE has published a report to highlight opportunities to make improvements to the chain of survival and to address health inequalities in cardiac arrest.
  • Ambulance service culture review – following the publication of former SECAmb chief executive officer Siobhan Melia’s culture review of ambulance trusts in February 2024, the first delivery board meeting pledges to move at pace to deliver the six key recommendations.
  • AACE’s key strategic priorities for 2024-2025 – what has been achieved in the previous year and a look ahead to workplans and key areas of focus for the new financial year.
  • Safe In The Back – AACE are reminding everyone to be aware of the campaign messages,  placing emphasis on the importance of ensuring staff and patients are secured whilst travelling. so that injuries and even death of staff or our patients are prevented.

AACE - KEEPING P'AACE ISSUE 9 WINTER 2024F Front CoverIssue 9: Winter 2023/24

  • The AACE vision for the NHS ambulance sector – what we think the healthcare landscape will look like in the future and how ambulance services need to adapt to play their full part.
  • The TASC phoneline – how their collaboration with AACE and the ambulance services has been instrumental in making the first year a success.
  • The AACE cultural calendar – our 2024 cultural calendar is an aid to support ambulance service employees and volunteers to appreciate and recognise the vibrancy in the communities we serve.
  • The ambulance volunteering dashboard – designed to share information about who volunteers for ambulance services and the impact they have through their volunteering.

AACE - KEEPING P'AACE ISSUE 8 AUTUMN 2023 Front coverIssue 8: Autumn 2023

  • A review of the 2023 Ambulance Leadership Forum.
  • The launch of AACE’s Reducing Misogyny documents, aimed at improving sexual safety in the ambulance service. 
  • The Ambulance Radio Programme: how the ARP delivers crucial technological solutions to ambulance trusts across the UK to ensure effective communications between trusts, the NHS, and other emergency responders. 
  • The provision of sanitary products at Yorkshire Ambulance Service: find out how YAS responded to an identified need amongst its female workforce, which has increased feelings of support whilst removing the need to purchase sanitary products during shift time.

AACE - KEEPING P'AACE ISSUE 7 SUMMER 2023 front coverIssue 7: Summer 2023

  • The AACE Strategic Approach for 2023 to 2026.
  • The launch of AACE’s #SafeInTheBack Campaign, highlighting the serious implications of not wearing seatbelts or harnessing patients properly in the back of ambulance vehicles.
  • Reducing Health Inequalities: how AACE brought partners together to develop and launch a national consensus approach to support ambulance services and their Integrated Care Systems in reducing health inequalities.
  • The Story of JRCALC – JRCALC is best known for the production of clinical guidelines for UK paramedics, often referred to as just the ‘JRCALC guidelines’. The guidelines are produced by JRCALC for NHS ambulance service paramedics, on behalf of AACE.

KEEPING P'AACE ISSUE 6 SPRING 2023 V2 Front coverIssue 6: Spring 2023

  • The launch of the National Ambulance Volunteering Strategy
  • AACE’s Strategic Priorities: your views are sought on the main areas we should focus on – at national level – on your behalf
  • Listening to Workers: a review of the FTSU report on the ambulance service culture
  • Reducing the risks of distressing and aggressive behaviours directed towards ambulance staff: an update on the work of the AACE Violence Prevention and Reduction Hub

KEEPING P'AACE ISSUE 5 WINTER 2023 front coverIssue 5: Winter 2023/24

  • A new year message of thanks to all ambulance employees from AACE Chair Daren Mochrie
  • The nationwide Infection, Protection and Control survey for ambulance staff and volunteers
  • The 2021-22 AACE Annual Report
  • The successful launch of TASC’s Suicide Prevention Phoneline

 

Issue 4: Autumn 2022

  • How the Ambulance sector united in grief at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
  • Why a diverse ambulance uniform offer matters
  • The value of LKS ASE Library Services
  • How ALF 2022 brought the ambulance sector back together

 

 

Issue 3: Summer 2022

  • Ambulance CEO update from Jason Killens
  • A progress update on Delayed Hospital Handovers
  • The latest from the National Ambulance Disability Network

 

 

 

Issue 2: Spring 2022

  • The Mental Health Continuum
  • Reducing Violence and Aggression
  • Women In Leadership
  • Anti Racism

 

 

 

Issue 1: Winter 2021

  • Delayed Hospital Handovers
  • The national IPC survey
  • Health and Wellbeing in ambulance services
  • An overview of AACE