More money is available to support ambulance service patients this winter, members of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) Council were told at their latest meeting.
Anthony Marsh, CEO of West Midlands and Chair of AACE, said:
Activity has increased in the last few weeks across the urgent and emergency system. Winter has come early.
He said that more than £3.3 million has been earmarked by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care or NHS England across these schemes:
- St John Ambulance and British Red Cross supporting prompt and early discharge from hospitals.
- Ambulance services setting up alcohol reception facilities in city centres.
- Additional St John Ambulance capacity on nights and weekends to support third party provision.
- Additional funding to NHS111 providers to support call-handling due to an anticipated increase in demand.
Prof Marsh also told the meeting, consisting of chairs and chief executives of all NHS ambulance services in the UK, that reducing hospital handover delays continues to be a national priority.
