West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) becoming an NHS foundation trust (From Ludlow Advertiser)

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) becoming an NHS foundation trust

8:00am Monday 7th January 2013 in News

WEST Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) will have more control over its own finances after becoming an NHS foundation trust.

WMAS, which has been striving for foundation status for two years, was given approval by Monitor, the regulator of NHS foundation trusts.

The change ef fectively means WMAS – which covers Shropshire, Herefordshire, Staf fordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire – has far more control over its own budget and management decisions and less input from central government.

The idea behind foundation trusts is to make ambulance services more accountable to communities they serve.

People in Herefordshire can sign up to become members of WMAS and have a say in how the trust is run. There will be 2,000 members at first, rising to 5,000 within two years.

Meanwhile, ambulance bosses have established a directly-elected members’ council consisting of 15 public and five staff governors together with appointed representatives from nine partner organisations.

“The success of our application means we have met the relevant quality thresholds,” said WMAS chief executive Anthony Marsh.

“Our staff have invested a huge amount of time improving still further the clinical care to patients within the region.”

Trust chairman Sir Graham Meldrum added: “Achieving NHS foundation trust status will ensure the trust is even more responsive to the needs of patients.”

To find out more about becoming a member of West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, call 01384 241411.