Ambulance

Ambulance services are at the heart of the urgent and emergency care system

In 2017 the NHS introduced new ambulance standards to ensure the best, most appropriate response is provided for each patient first time.

Our aim is that all ambulance services:

  • Meet all targets and deliver all patient outcomes;
  • Are efficient and effective;
  • Have a satisfied, happy and productive workforce;
  • Are integrated into the wider urgent and emergency care system;
  • Are digitally fit for the future.

Ambulance services are changing to work in different ways. This means patients are treated by skilled paramedics in their own home, given advice over the telephone or taken to a more appropriate setting outside hospital. You can watch our short film on some of the ways in which ambulance services have changed to respond to different incidents.

But there is always more to do.  We continue to support commissioners and ambulance services to make a series of improvements, including:

Publications