St John and Health agree 10-year ambulance deal
GUERNSEY’S ambulance service will continue to be run by St John for the next decade at a cost to the taxpayer of just over £2.4m. a year.
Health & Social Care and the St John Ambulance Service have signed a new contract for the ongoing delivery of 999 emergency cover.
Contract negotiations were part of a planned renewal to provide continuity of service for the public, while also setting out a joint commitment for the future transformation of the emergency road ambulance service in accordance with HSC’s Partnership of Purpose policy letter, unanimously approved by the States.
The new contract provides a 10-year commitment, however it also enables either party to signal their intention to withdraw with a 12-month notice period.
Government will provide a grant of £2,417,567 per year to SJEAS, and both parties have committed to working on a programme of change to ensure the Emergency Road Ambulance Service is equipped to best meet the changing needs of the community in the long-term.
Under its contract with the States of Guernsey, which will be managed by HSC, it is expected that SJEAS will respond to more than 4,000 emergency calls each year in addition to the transfer of a similar number of patients to scheduled diagnostic and treatment appointments.
‘Members of our community understandably place a lot of faith and trust in the St John Emergency Ambulance Service, so I am delighted that we have signed this contract well in advance of the current contract expiring at the end of 2018,’ said Health & Social Care president Heidi Soulsby.
‘This agreement is an excellent example of partnership working.
‘The negotiation process has been extremely positive, which was particularly pleasing given how vitally important it is that we are collectively aligned about the need to transform services to meet the changing needs of patients.’
As Health pushes forward with its ‘Partnership of Purpose’ transformation programme, a review of the emergency ambulance service, ensuring that its role in the overall health and care system is considered, is under way.
Any future service will be designed to address the ageing population issues and would revise clinical pathways to enable better treatment at home for patients, Health said.
SJEAS chief officer Alison Marquis looked forward to working with HSC and other States colleagues to focus on transformation to meet future needs.
‘Everyone who works for the St John Emergency Ambulance Service considers it an honour to serve and support members of our community, often in their hour of greatest need,’ she said.
‘We wanted to continue serving the community and we’re really pleased that the negotiation process has resulted in a robust contract for the ongoing delivery of our essential services for residents of the Bailiwick.’
The annual grant from the States to the service has steadily decreased from 2015 when it stood at just over £2.6m. In 2016, the States paid £2,582,000 and last year it cost the taxpayer £2,486,000. This year it was £2,350,000.
