The ambulance service is more than just an emergency responder - Emergency Services Times Association of Ambulance Chief Executives Chair Jason Killens talks to Emergency Services Times about how the ambulance sector is taking on a greater role in leading and co-designing urgent and emerge...

"The ambulance service is more than just an emergency responder."

As #ambulance leaders gathered at #ALF2025, @aace.org.uk Chair @jasonkillens.bsky.social tells The #EmergencyServices Times how the #ambulance sector is taking a greater role in leading and co-designing #UEC provision. ⬇️

Today we have welcomed changes to how we will manage some emergency calls in Wales. They’ll enable us to focus on what’s important for patients in improving their outcomes.

Caught with the serious face on in interviews for the telly news later today.

Proud of @welshambulance.bsky.social colleagues who held our first Ramadan Iftar event tonight as we joined Muslim colleagues breaking fast. We heard from the Muslim Council of Wales and learnt much about the the importance of Ramanda.

#ramadan

Vile moment Swansea man spits in face of paramedic caught on camera Jonathan, who is based in Ystradgynlais, Powys, had been dispatched to an immediately life-threatening ‘Red’ call with this crewmate when the shocking incdent happened

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

Thrilled to share our 2025 Cultural Calendar, a resource for our #ambulance trusts, staff & #volunteers.

We hope it will support the sector to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness of the #diversity in our teams and in the communities we serve.

> aace.org.uk/news/aace-pu...

Advanced paramedic rotational placement models in Wales How experience in primary care is empowering and informing decision making for advanced paramedics and reducing avoidable conveyance to hospital.

💡 Upskilling paramedics through placements in other settings is a simple and effective way to safely reduce avoidable conveyance to hospital – from around 60% to 30%.

We did some filming in North Wales where the system is successfully improving care for patients and reducing pressure on services.

An interesting and sadly all to familiar thread in this annual leave reading with the cultural journey our sector is on. Some thought provoking stuff and a helpful reminder that leadership is about service not self.

Earlier this week on behalf of @aace.org.uk James and I spoke to BBC Breakfast about the shocking rate of assaults on ambulance workers across the UK with one assault every 30 minutes occurring. Find out more here: aace.org.uk/news/violent...

. @aace.org.uk Chair @jasonkillens.bsky.social was on #BBC Breakfast today highlighting the profound impact of abuse on #ambulance staff, and made a plea to the public to ensure that staff are treated with deserved respect, and can #WorkWithoutFear.

Read our statement aace.org.uk/news/violent...

The current situation across the NHS is 'very difficult' & creating pressure on A&E departments warns @nhsconfed.bsky.social CEO Matthew Taylor, with the gap between capacity and demand made worse by crumbling buildings & the relentless pressure on social care @channel4news.bsky.social 👇

Only call 999 in emergencies to help ‘severe pressure’, ambulance chiefs urge The London Ambulance Service said that, between 2am and 3am on New Year’s Day 2024, a 999 call was received every 11 seconds.

Only call 999 in emergencies to help ‘severe pressure’, ambulance chiefs urge www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/lond...

Welsh ambulance chief urges New Year’s Eve revellers to drink less Plea to partygoers comes as service struggles to handle ongoing ‘critical incident’ with patients facing delays The chief executive of the Welsh ambulance service has urged New Year’s Eve revellers to drink in moderation and eat before they begin…

Welsh ambulance chief urges New Year’s Eve revellers to drink less

Congratulations to this Fab Four and to all those recognised in this New Years Honours list. #NewYearsHonours

Pressure across the NHS from high numbers of flu/COVID cases has led to delays at emergency departments affecting our ability to respond. Thank you to our fab #TeamWAST staff/volunteers for all that you are doing in challenging times. Sorry to patients who’ve had to wait as a result of the pressure.

Great visit to @eastenglandamb.bsky.social with @annaparry.bsky.social this afternoon. Joined the last managers briefing of the year by CEO Neill and there is much for the team to be proud of in what’s been achieved this year.

First time back here in nearly 10 years and I still get recognised by the security guy at reception. Thanks for your assistance @danielelkeles.bsky.social

Great workshop yesterday with colleagues @aace.org.uk and senior leaders across the UK ambulance sector on our submission in response to the NHSE 10 year plan and what the ambulance service role in that can be. There is more on how we see the future in our sector vision: aace.org.uk/a-vision-for...

Good news. Congratulations Salman.

Taxi and ambulance drivers less likely to die from Alzheimer’s Using your brain, and not a GPS, to navigate the world may ward off dementia — although sitting in a car all day probably isn’t great for physical health

Interesting research here suggesting some health benefits from frontline ambulance work although there is much to do on other risk factors around long shifts etc

Taxi and ambulance drivers less likely to die from Alzheimer’s

www.thetimes.com/article/3183...

Holding NHS leaders to account: how far should journalists go? Anna Parry on ambulance winter waiting times, Alastair McLellan on NHS leadership and quick-fire questions for Patricia Miller.

Take a listen here to the managing director of Association Ambulance Chief Executives @annaparry.bsky.social as she chats to @nhsconfed.bsky.social about ambulance pressures this winter.

www.nhsconfed.org/podcast/hold...

Delighted to join colleagues from St John Ambulance Cymru tonight in Cardiff for their annual Christmas Carol Concert. Our #TeamWAST partnership with SJAC is strategically important to us and it’s always good to support and thank their brilliant volunteers. Diolch.

Assaults on emergency workers are up 9% in the last year. As we approach the festive period we want people to have a good time but ask the public to work #WithUsNotAgainstUs as our people can’t fight for your life if they are fighting for their own. #TeamWAST

ambulance.nhs.wales/news/nhs/202...

End-of-life care dying wishes are granted by paramedics Bride Jess was ready to cancel the wedding - but the help allowed people to say goodbye to her dad.

So proud of #TeamWAST colleagues who provide our Wish Ambulance to end of life patients by volunteering their own time offering special moments to those with terminal illness and their families. Read more about the brilliant work they do here:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Full house at the North Wales Emergency Services Carol Concert tonight alongside partner agencies and the local community. #TeamWAST

Tonight #TeamWAST are at the South Wales Emergency Services Carol Concert at Llandaff Cathedral with friends, colleagues and partners. Seasons Greetings.

Thanks @danielelkeles.bsky.social for hosting Anna and I on the first of our @aace-org.bsky.social visits across the UK. Some great conversation and ideas from this afternoon and always good to catch up with some old colleagues too.

So pleased to be able to recognise and thank Lisa for her role at an off duty challenging incident some weeks ago. Our Trust Board today was a great place to do so. #TeamWAST

Wow! Just heard we have 250 applicants for one role in our digital team. Sounds like an attractive post. #TeamWAST

Delighted to see our new Health and Wellbeing plan through to 2029 approved at our Trust Board today. It’ll shortly be available on our website. #TeamWAST