Health Committee to discuss ambulance services in Wales

The Assembly’s Health and Social Services Committee is to hold a special meeting to discuss the reports of the Auditor General for Wales and the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales on the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust. In his report, Auditor General Jeremy Colman said longstanding poor performance by the Welsh ambulance service has resulted from weaknesses in all aspects of business management. Serious problems have persisted for several years, but the ambulance service does have strengths which give hope for the future. The Health and Social Services Committee will consider the report on Wednesday January 17 in Committee Room 1, the Senedd, Cardiff Bay, from 9.30am to 11.30am. The Committee will hear from Alan Murray, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, from Jeremy Colman, the Auditor General for Wales and Peter Higson, Chief Executive of the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, Chair of the Health and Social Services Committee, said: “The Auditor General’s inquiry into the ambulance service uncovered fundamental weaknesses. The Committee will be scrutinising the Ambulance Service’s proposals for addressing those weaknesses and improving services. We look to the Assembly Government to use the recommendations we will make to turn the ambulance service into one which will serve the people of Wales well in the future.” Full details and an agenda: To book a seat phone 0845 010 5500 or email assembly.bookings@wales.gsi.gov.uk