Similarities between Guernsey’s emergency ambulance service and NHS ambulance trusts have been highlighted this week at the annual Ambulance Leadership Forum.

The Chief Officer of the St John Emergency Ambulance Service Ali Marquis and the Deputy Chief Officer Joel de Woolfson attended the 2019 conference in Warwickshire.

The annual event is hosted by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and brings together senior managers from ambulance services from across England and the offshore islands to share knowledge and experience.

Ali Marquis said “It is clear from the presentations at this year’s conference that there are many similarities between the direction of travel of NHS ambulance trusts, including transformation initiatives, and work being carried out in Guernsey. All services are focused on ensuring the care we deliver, both now and in the future with the challenges ahead, is what the community needs and keeps people out of hospital wherever possible.”

The 2019 forum focused on three key themes – Operational Stability; Leadership Capacity & Capability; and Strategic Positioning. Presentations were given by a number of leading UK and international speakers, including representatives from St John New Zealand.

Mrs Marquis added “A particular highlight was a presentation by North East Ambulance Chief Executive Yvonne Ormston, who talked about ways to ensure the high quality care culture ambulance services deliver to patients is replicated internally in the way we engage with and treat our valued staff.”