Local ambulance service achieves Foundation Trust status

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust achieved Foundation Trust status on 1 March 2012 and will now be known as South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS).

As a Foundation Trust SCAS will have greater freedom from central Government control, but remain part of the NHS and subject to NHS standards, performance ratings and inspections. SCAS is accountable to the independent regulator Monitor, who oversees and monitors the Trust against their terms of authorisation and has powers to intervene.

In short we have become a public benefit organisation even more accountable to our public.

SCAS began the process of becoming a Foundation Trust towards the end of 2010. This process has included recruiting 8000 Public Members, a 3 month public consultation ending February 2011, and holding elections for a Council of Governors in autumn 2011.

SCAS Chair Trevor Jones said:

'Achieving Foundation Trust status means that SCAS will be more accountable to local people and we will have more freedom to decide how to run and deliver our services. We look forward to working with members and our newly elected governors in developing our future strategy and service development"

Chief Executive Will Hancock said

'I would like to thank our staff, volunteers, co-responders, members of the public and all who have engaged with the process towards ensuring SCAS' bid to become a Foundation Trust was successful, this is a real vote of confidence in your local ambulance service.

'With your help we will use our NHS Foundation Trust status to move more rapidly in the direction we wish to go - delivering world class services under new models of care, and retaining our position as one of the leading ambulances services in England.'

The Trust is looking to recruit an additional 4000 Public Members by March 2013  Join us  and have your say in helping to steer the way we will deliver services into the future.

Membership is free to anyone aged 14 years or over living in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Hampshire. As a member you will receive a membership card, a copy of our Foundation Times magazine four times a year and personal invitations to events and meetings we will hold to engage with patients, the public and their families. And it's up to you just how involved you want to be. You may simply want to receive regular information on your local ambulance service, or choose to become more actively involved in helping to develop services that will benefit the wider community we serve. 

To become a public member of your local ambulance service please email getinvolved@scas.nhs.uk or use the online application form on our web site at www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/foundation-trust/becomeamember.ashx

Published 1 March 2012