Alan Howson, IAA Executive Chairman The Independent Ambulance Association has reached out to hard pressed NHS Ambulance Trusts to offer the assistance of providers to assist NHS efforts to counter the coronavirus pandemic. Commenting, Alan Howson (IAA Executive Chairman) said: “Independent ambulance providers have vehicles and fully trained staff (many of them [...]
One of an estimated 5,000 independent ambulance vehicles supporting the NHS. The IAA has today (17th March 2020) written to the Cabinet Office to highlight the impact the coronavirus is having on its Members and the independent ambulance sector more broadly. In short, the cancelling of non-emergency patient journeys and elective treatments [...]
IAA Executive Chairman, Alan Howson The IAA is one of a number of 'stakeholders' invited by NHSE & I to join an Expert Advisory Group reviewing non-emergency patient transport commissioning, amidst growing concern on the sustainability of this crucial area of provision. Also invited are representatives from: - patient interest groups (such [...]
Craig Harman, St John Ambulance We're pleased to welcome our newest Member, St John Ambulance, who have passed all the vetting and background checks required for membership, including meeting the requirements of the Care Quality Commission. St John Ambulance is assessed against the same criteria as UK Ambulance Trusts by the Care [...]
the not so glamorous reality of Radio interviews In a change in to his normal routine, IAA Executive Chairman Alan Howson found himself being interviewed by BBC Radio 4's You & Yours programme, responding to an item on the CQC's report, State of Care in Independent Ambulance Services. The report (which doesn't [...]
IAA business partner Apex Networks hosted a Webinar on Thursday 14th November showcasing their Patient Transport System; a second event is scheduled for Tuesday 19th November. Apex Networks have been hosting 'command & control' platforms for some 12 years, starting out in the breakdown sector, where an astonishing 92% of providers use their platform. [...]
IAA business partner Ambulance Parts has drawn our attention to on the extent to which floor-pan corrosion in ambulance vehicles is impacting on the usability of vehicle ramps. The problem is becoming increasingly apparent in 60-plated vehicles onwards. Commenting, Robert Stevenson (Director at Ambulance Parts) said: “If vehicles are fitted with [...]
The CQC unveiled their annual "State of health care and adult care in England 2018/19" report, summarising the main points from some 32,000 inspections. The full report can be found via this link, a summary via this link. The report starts on a positive note: generally the quality of care is improving slightly . [...]
IAA Director and BEARS founder Ali Hashim (centre, back row) and staff with their awards. The founder and eight members of staff from British Emergency Ambulance Response Service (BEARS) have received unique awards for outstanding care and commitment to NHS patients. The honours were awarded by the StereoGraph Foundation UK, an internationally recognised [...]
NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens has announced NHS England will be undertaking a review of patient transport services. The review is in response to several high-profile failures in the non-emergency patient transport market along with other indications all is not well, including: Coperforma, PAS and SSGUK all entering administration Arriva Transport Solutions withdrawing from providing [...]
