Super-sized ambulance trust will cover town

From the archive, first published Saturday 26th Nov 2005.

HEALTH bosses have given the thumbs up to a super ambulance trust to serve Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Ambulance bosses described the decision as a golden opportunity.

The new trust ­ which will come into force in April next year ­ will be capable of treating more patients at the scene and referring them to GPs.

Philip Selwood, the chief executive of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Ambulance Trusts, said: "This is a golden opportunity to build something exciting and new.

"We now want to take the very best from the three trusts to build a new organisation.

"This is not just simply about joining them together ­ this is about creating the best organisation for the future."

The Government's decision comes after a three-month consultation, during which hundreds of people gave their views. And bosses expect millions of pounds to be saved in bureaucracy.

Trevor Jones, the chief executive of the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, added: "It is important the right leadership, the right structure and the right staff are put in place for the future.

An Integration Board has been set up to follow through the reforms.

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