Giles Watling, MP for Clacton, has met with Robert Morton, Chief of Executive of East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST), in Parliament to discuss EEAST’s ongoing improvement work.
During the meeting, Giles heard how EEAST are working hard to make improvements across the entire region, and how EEAST is now focusing on expanding the ambulance service, and integrate its services where possible with other system partners.
Giles also heard how EEAST’s funding will continue to rise, following significant increases over the past two years. This funding will be used to implement the recommendations on the EEAST’s recent Independent Service Review (ISR), which will enable a redesign of services and the allocation of financial resources for 330 new staff and 160 new ambulances. Giles will hear in the coming weeks how these new financial resources will be allocated locally.
EEAST will also be introducing more early intervention vehicles (EIVs) so that patients who need help and support to help avoid falls in the future can be assessed at their homes. Staffed by a clinician from the ambulance service and an occupational therapist, they can prevent people having to go to hospital, and make referrals for extra health and social care support where necessary.
Speaking about the introduction of more EIVs, Robert said:
"These will mean that patients receive treatment, equipment and help and guidance where they are most comfortable, meaning they don't have to go into hospital. In the first four months of the pilot project in Norfolk, senior emergency medical technicians (EMT) and occupational therapists were dispatched to almost 300 patients in North Norfolk, South Norfolk and Norwich. Vehicles are currently operating in Hertfordshire, Essex and Norfolk."
Giles said:
“I am grateful for Robert for taking the time to visit me in Parliament, and for updating me on the important work that the Trust is undertaking to improve our ambulance services. I recognise that there are significant concerns locally about the Trust’s performance and I will ensure that these improvements are implemented in a timely manner.”