Agenda item

The Committee were provided with information which outlined the current performance, position and initiatives of the North West Ambulance Service with additional focus on the Oldham area.

The presentation covered current performance against national targets, level of activity, number of hospital conveyances, hear and treat/see and treat numbers, new initiatives/projects and news from the trust.  The sectors within the Ambulance Service were defined as well as the challenges for which there was a good and improving picture.  The emphasis on the service was urgent care and improving the collaboration with other partners.  Quarter 1 performances for 2018 and 2019 were compared and presented continued improvements.  Measures had been brought in to reduce turn around times.  The Committee were informed about working in a complex environment, changes to release ambulances quicker through changing the culture of staff and creating greater capacity.  Members were informed about the extra demand and how this was being addressed.  Emergency department attendances were outlined for each CCG and Oldham had shown a reduced attendance at A&E.  Oldham was presented with high demand and the Ambulance Services was working with Oldham to look at ways to better manage patients to release ambulances within 30 mins. 

Ambulance performance was improving and the targets for the response times were highlighted to the Committee.  Members were informed about the response cars located in the communities and the improvements in response to cardiac arrest and stroke incidents.  The number of conveyances had been reduced but a challenge remained with ambulance turnarounds.

Members sought and received clarification regarding the use of private ambulances.  The use of private ambulances was being decreased by recruitment to the full potential to reduce dependence on private providers as well as the service being modernised.  The Ambulance Service was also reducing time on scene through key messages being in place and work with the crews. 

Members sought clarification on the performance indicators in reducing the turnaround time and getting to emergencies, did it affect the quality of care the patient needed, was the use of the car better and whether the emergency cars had the same equipment as the larger ambulance?  Members were informed that in terms of care the car had the same equipment as the large van apart from lifting equipment.  Assessment of a patient did not require the large ambulance.  The cars provided a vital function and did not reduce the quality.  With regard to the handover at the hospital, 30 minutes was enough to discuss the patient and relay what had happened. There was always triage with the clinician on the care of the patient.

Members sought clarification on what had improved performance and what steps could be taken to further improve performance not just within the ambulance service but also other members of the team and how sustainability could be ensured?  Members were informed that sustainability was a concern, crews were dispatched following key questions being asked which had knocked 25 seconds off the cycle.  There were things that could be addressed through technology.  All crews now had i-tablets which could access patient records and were linked to location technology.   Partnership with other services was key.  Less life-threatening calls could be diverted to another provider.  The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Board was trialling links with a number of providers with funding to bring a pilot back and indicate a way forward for it to be brought in before the winter pressures.

RESOLVED that the information related to the North West Ambulance Service be noted.