NEW CONTRACT FOR PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICES

 

West Midlands Ambulance Service is pleased to announce that it has successfully been awarded the Patient Transport Service (PTS) contract for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.

The contract, which went live on Friday 1^st March, will see out approximately 30,000 non-emergency journeys taking place per year helping patients predominately from the Walsall area to get to their hospital appointments.

A number of staff from Ambuline, the former PTS provider for the area, have now transferred to work for West Midlands Ambulance Service ensuring a smooth transition of services.

Derek Laird, Commercial Services Director for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “The Trust is really pleased to have been awarded the contract, following a competitive tender process.

“This contract will be one of seven held by West Midlands Ambulance Service throughout the region and we are committed to working closely with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to provide the patients of Walsall with a high quality service.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome the staff from the former provider to the team at West Midlands Ambulance Service”.

The Trust’s PTS staff are fully trained in non-emergency patient transport which includes basic first aid, manual handling, infection prevention and control and driving training.

Johanne Newens, from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust  said: “Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is pleased to be working in collaboration with West Midlands Ambulance Service, continuing to deliver a safe and reliable service to the public of Walsall.”

6 guys, 4 days, 300 miles on 1 bike!

Darryl and the team from The Star at Liverton are taking their incredible custom- made bike for 6 back on the road and going MAD (Miles Around Devon), taking 4 days to cycle 300 miles around Devon to raise awareness and funds for  Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT).

Nearly a year has passed since last year’s Jurassic Coast challenge when they cycled 240 miles from Widecombe-in-the-Moor to Rusper in Sussex.  With the memories of the wind, rain and pain fading, the team are now back in the saddle and training hard for this year’s MAD challenge.  Departing from The Star on Wednesday 10 April, they head south and will work their way along the coast before heading inland to Tavistock; moving on during 11 April to the spectacular north coast and Lynton; heading east 12 April to Kilmington near Axminster and finally returning home to The Star on Saturday 13 April.

The success of the challenge relies on them all working as a team, testing stamina, fitness and their friendships as they take on the demands of the Devon terrain. 

Caroline Creer, Frundraising Director for DAAT, wished the team luck with their training and their challenge, “We are always amazed at the antics of our fundraisers around the county – and none more so than these hardy, intrepid cyclists.  I hope the aches and pains are equalled in laughs and good humour!  Their bike is so unique that they’ll certainly be noticed along their route – I hope they get lots of toots of encouragement.”

To support the team and help boost their fundraising total for Devon Air Ambulance Trust, call in and meet them at The Star and make a donation in person, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Star-Inn-Liverton, or text HELI60 followed by the amount of your donation to 70070

Photos courtesy of Allan Thompson