Agenda item

Geoff Catling (Director of Technical Services and Logistics, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust), Janine Compton (Senior Communications Manager, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust), Darren Reynolds (Head of Business Development, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust), and Steve Rose (Senior Operations Manager, South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust) were present for this item.

(1)       Representatives of the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) explained that they were attending to provide an update on the Make Ready Programme, but were happy to answer any questions on any aspects of the organisations activity as there were a number of interesting new developments, such as ‘hear and treat’, ‘see and treat’ and a new Computer Aided Despatch system which had gone live in Kent one month previously.  The Coxheath Despatch Centre was staying in its current location.

(2)       The background to the Make Ready Programme reached back to 1974 when ambulance services transferred from local authorities to the NHS.  This meant that ambulance stations were based on local authority estate locations and there was often now room to expand or improve facilities and the locations of them could have an impact on ambulance response times.  A range of issues arising from this resulted in an Estates Strategy for SECAmb in May 2008 which established the direction for the Make Ready Programme. 

(3)       SECAmb representatives explained the current system was more akin to ‘make do’ than ‘make ready’.  Between 40 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes was often lost from each shift due to ambulances not being fully prepared for the start of each shift, with ambulances often having to go to different locations in order to become fully equipped.  Crews were also currently responsible for cleaning their ambulance and a call could often come in during cleaning meaning that an ambulance responded without the cleaning process being completed.

(4)       Infection control was stated as one of the main drivers behind the Make Ready Programme.  The idea behind Make Ready Depots was that they would be built specifically for the purpose of being somewhere where specially trained staff would clean and prepare the ambulances for the beginning of each shift, freeing up paramedic time.  The extended cleaning the ambulances would receive, along with a six-weekly deep clean would dramatically improve infection control.  The Care Quality Commission had inspected and approved the programme on two occasions.  The intention was also to locate Make Ready Depots near accident and emergency departments in order to clean ambulances after particularly severe incidents and allow ambulance crews to have a break from the event.

(5)       Three Make Ready Depots had already been opened, at Chertsey, Hastings and Thanet in Kent.  There were plans to open a number of further depots as the Programme was rolled out.  The next two planned would also be in Kent, at Paddock Wood and Ashford, both in 2011.  The plan was for the one in Ashford to also include a hazardous response unit.  One Member of the Committee reported his favourable impressions of the Hastings Depot following a visit.

(6)       Locations for ambulance community response posts were also being sought by SECAmb where ambulances would be sited in key positions so as to be able to respond quickly to incidents.  Ambulances had in the past often been parked in lay-bys but locations where additional facilities were available were being found, such as Springfield House in Maidstone.

(7)       Members had before them colour versions of the maps contained within the Agenda pack and a number of questions were asked clarifying details about the response time around Deal and Birchington.  It was explained that there were challenges in reaching the 8 minute target for Category A calls in some areas in East Kent, which was why finding the right locations for response posts was important.

(8)       Questions were asked about the ongoing funding for the Programme and it was explained that the funding stream formed part of the Long Term Financial Model as part of SECAmb’s bid for Foundation Trust status.  Funding for this current year was set, and that included developing depots at Paddock Wood and Ashford. 

(9)       Future projects, such as developing a depot at Medway Airport, would follow the establishment of SECAmb as a Foundation Trust.  Until a new depot location was secured and operational, the ambulance stations in Medway and Dartford would remain.

(10)     In answer to questions about the longer term future of the ambulance station in Maidstone, representatives from SECAmb explained that the current station was not fit for purpose and that there would be response posts in Maidstone, but that the Paddock Wood Depot would service the needs of Maidstone.  Several Members expressed reservations that the county town may suffer a reduction in access to ambulance services.

(11)     Questions were also asked about staff training.  It was explained that the nature of training was changing and paramedic education was becoming a graduate profession with specialisms within it.  Additional training for maternity transfers was provided in West Sussex work was ongoing with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust on implementing the appropriate pathway of care.

(12)     There were also rigorous training standards set for the company contracted to the staff the Make Ready Depots.

(13)     Members were keen to pursue the subject further and in particular requested more information on response times in West Kent.  SECAmb were invited to attend the meeting on 8 October and they accepted and expressed a hope that an opportunity for Members to visit the Thanet Make Ready Depot before that date could be arranged.