Using a detailed level of analysis not previously seen before in the ambulance sector, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, (SECAmb), is developing an ambitious new clinically-led strategy.

Members of the public are being invited to get involved in shaping the new strategy which will use detailed activity data to ensure the Trust is best placed to respond to changing demographics and also re-define the role it plays in an evolving healthcare environment.

SECAmb data shows that:

  • more than half of calls (54%) come from the over 65s, who make up 20% of the population in our region
  • one of every 10 hours spent with patients is on scene with someone who’s fallen
  • 20% of calls received are cardiac related
  • Mental health is the sixth most common reason we attend patients
  • 50% of our patients take five or more prescription medications
  • Patients who’ve called SECAmb five times or more account for 17% of calls

Chief Medical Officer, Rachel Oaten said: “By using the wealth of data we have available to us, we are developing our strategy to ensure we’re better placed to meet the needs of our communities in the years ahead, while continuing to ensure we can respond to our most critically-ill and injured patients in a timely manner.

“Our patients have diverse needs, spanning the spectrum from social care to critical care but only a small proportion truly require emergency or critical care. Despite this changing variety and increasing complexity, we typically respond to all patients in an undifferentiated, time-driven way. This one-size-fits-all model does not always meet all our patients’ needs or support our workforce.”

Over the coming weeks, the Trust will continue to consult with colleagues, partner organisations, and patient representatives to develop its strategy, building on the feedback already received from our people on what they feels needs to change.

Members of the public who would like to get involved or find out more, are invited to email strategy@secamb.nhs.uk.

For further details on the development of the new strategy, visit: Our Vision and Strategy – NHS South East Coast Ambulance Service (secamb.nhs.uk)