Welsh Ambulance service shake-up revealed

Health Minister Mark Drakeford announced (July 9) a major shake-up of the Welsh Ambulance service amid concerns over missed targets and poor performance.

Under the new system ambulance services will be directly commissioned by health boards and will be responsible to a new body made up of the seven health boards.

Funding arrangements will be simplified with the new body – the national delivery organisation – overseeing direct financial flow from health boards to the organisation.

The Welsh Ambulance Service will also undergo a name change and local health boards and the ambulance service have been asked to prepare a staged plan for the separation of emergency services and patient transport by September.