Ambulance service to stay on as out-of-hours provider

The ambulance service has been running a large chunk of the out-of-hours service since 2004 but will now be responsible for running it outright across the county.

The additional services the trust will take on, including out-of-hours telephone triage between 6.30pm and 11pm, were previously run by Gloucestershire Care Services Trust.

The provider has not revealed the financial value of the contract, citing ongoing negotiations.

The contract means that South West Ambulance Service will provide home visiting, telephone triage and face-to-face consultations at all primary care centres from 6.30pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends and bank holidays.

Trust chief executive Ken Wenman said: “I am delighted that the trust has been chosen to carry on providing the out-of-hours service in Gloucestershire.

“South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust has worked closely with local Gloucestershire GPs and we have their full support.

“I am glad that we can continue to provide our patients in the county with the right care in the right place at the right time.”