2011

Equity and Excellence – Liberating the NHS
The Ambulance Service Network (ASN) had the opportunity to respond to the series of documents which formed part of the “Equity and Excellence - Liberating the NHS”  white paper. The ASN response contributed to the overall NHS Confederation response.

Public health white paper
The NHS Confederation's response to the public health white paper was formed through extensive consultation with members. The response identifies the delivery of the policy proposal and addresses the risk and solutions, which have been identified by our members. Full NHS Confederation consultation response.

NHS Future Forum
ASN members responded to the questions posed by the NHS Future Forum during the NHS listening exercise. Read the ASN response.

2009

Proposed framework for Quality Accounts
The Department of Health (DH) consulted on the proposed framework for Quality Accounts. Ambulance trusts will need to provide Quality Accounts from April 2010, which will be an additional mechanism for boards to assess quality and address improvements. Please visit the Quality Accounts publication webpage to download a copy of the NHS Confederation's consultation summary.  A copy of the response will be available shortly.

Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections The DH consulted on its Code of Practice for the prevention and control of infections which the CQC will use to assess that all health and adult social care providers, including ambulance services, are meeting the cleanliness and infection control registration requirement. Read the ASN response to this Health and Social Care Act 2008 consultation. The consultation summary for reference is available for members.

New Horizons
The ASN welcomed the focus placed in the Department of Health Mental Health consultation New Horizons on partnership working particularly as the ambulance service is a vital part of the mental health acute pathway. We agree that a broad understanding of mental health issues particularly amongst frontline workers is important to challenge stigma and discrimination in mental health.
Read the ASN response to this consultation.

Department of Health consults on registration regulations

The Department of Health (DH) consulted on the draft regulations for health and adult social care in England for the new system of registration with the Care Qualiy Commission (CQC). The proposals relating to ambulance services include:

Private ambulance services will not be regulated by the CQC until April 2011.

Voluntary ambulance services such as St John's Ambulance will need to be registered with the CQC if they provide services beyond first aid.

Providers which transport patients for the primary purpose of treatment (including private ambulances and air ambulances) will be regulated by the CQC.

This is intended to exclude providers which transport patients to and from hospital for non medical reasons (whether or not those patients are vulnerable).

Read the NHS Confederation response  which the ASN contributed to.

End of Life Care Strategy: quality markers consultation

The consultation proposed quality markers for all healthcare sectors, including those for the ambulance service.
Read more on the NHS Confederation consultation response.

2008

Transforming the quality of dementia care: consultation on a National Dementia Strategy
The DH launched the National Dementia Strategy consultation, proposing four key outcomes: improved awareness; early diagnosis and intervention; high quality care and support; and delivering the National Dementia Strategy framework. 
ASN response to the consultation.