GWAS – the future

The proposed acquisition of GWAS by SWAST

The current position• Ambulance Quality Indicators – response and

beyond

• Centre of excellence for 999 handling

• Clinical excellence: Clinical Indicators: stroke, heart attack, diabetes, asthma

Cutting edge work: dementia and ‘end of life’ care

Research: REVIVE - airway study

• PTS contracts

• OoH service

Why is GWAS proposing this change?

Smallest ambulance trust in England• Difficulties in recruiting & retaining Execs/CE • Relatively high-cost service (higher than average

% spent on management functions)• Limited capacity to invest in service improvements

Public sector spending review requires year-on-year efficiencies

Required to be an FT (or part of an FT) by April 2014

How did GWAS reach this decision?

August 2011 – GWAS announced no longer working to become an FT and that it was looking for a partner

September 2011 – replies from all ambulance trusts following invitation to express interest in partnering GWAS collated

October 2011 – GWAS confirmed that SWAST had expressed an interest in acquiring GWAS and that they are the preferred partner

Why would SWAST make a good partner?

• One of the best performing ambulance trusts

• One of the first ambulance trusts to get FT status

• Similar clinical and operational priorities

• Shared boundary lines

• Strong existing relationship

Benefits

• Improved services for patients

• Improved ability to meet key performance and contractual targets

• More robust organisational model

• A more robust financial position

• Ability to pursue innovation and continuous quality improvement

• More economic and efficient fleet management and logistics

Who is involved?

• NHS South of England (SHA)

• SWAST

• GWAS

• NHS Gloucestershire and Swindon

Overall objectives

To provide a solution that delivers:• Consistent high-quality, locally responsive and

trusted care to patients across the South West• Ensure long-term sustainability and financial

strength• Provide better value for money for commissioners

By:• Creating a single ambulance trust providing

services across the South West within 2012-13• Ensuring that all stakeholders are meaningfully

engaged and informed

What has happened so far?

• October to December 2011 – Due diligence undertaken

• 21 December 2011 – SWAST confirmed they will be proceeding to the next phase

• January 2012 – integration planning has begun

The existing GWAS map

The existing SWAST map

Key factsGWAS SWAST

Size of area covered 3,000 square miles 6,600 square miles

Number of residents 2.4 million 2.9 million (plus 17.5 million visitors)

Number of employees 1,645 (FTE) 2,200 (FTE)

Total number of community responders (including CFRs, other emergency organisations and non-clinical staff) 435 600

Number of operational sites – including headquarters and airbases 33 74

Number of operational ambulance stations 30 65

Number of control rooms 3 2

Number of emergency calls responded to in 2010-11 264,000 397,913

Number of out-of-hours/urgent calls dealt with in 2010-11 139,000 204,245

Number of PTS journeys carried out in 2010-11 238,000 304,000

% of CAT A responded to within 8 minutes 2010-11 74.3% 76.8%

% of 999 CAT A calls backed up by ambulance within 19 minutes 95.1% 96.1%

% of CAT B calls responded to within 19 minutes 91.4% 95.6%

Number of operational emergency vehicles 192 plus 3 helicopters 457 plus 4 helicopters

Number of PTS vehicles 115 108

Next steps

• Development of business case

• Third party reviews

• Stakeholder engagement

• Integration planning – has to commence before final decisions made

• Membership recruitment

• SWAST final decision

• Secretary of state decision to dissolve GWAS

• New organisation begins operations

Sharing our plans

• Using existing channels

• HOSCs (inc JOSC)

• LINks (inc joint working group)

• External reference group

• Website

• Media relations

• Working with our NHS colleagues

• Membership recruitment

GWAS – the future

Discussion