The House of Lords Public Services Committee has today launched
an inquiry into access to emergency services and is calling for
written evidence.
Inquiry
The inquiry will consider the challenges emergency services are
facing, particularly when responding to health emergencies), and
if more collaborative working between the three blue-light
services could address these issues and improve outcomes for
patients. The inquiry will consider issues relating to governance
and leadership, best practice and innovation, with the ultimate
aim of ensuring that processes for decision making are always
focused on patient welfare.
The full call for evidence and details of how to make submissions
are available above. Submissions of written evidence should be
received by 26 October 2022.
Chair's comments
Commenting on the inquiry launch said:
“Long wait times and delays have become an unwelcome mainstay in
the provision of emergency services, and our previous work has
found that severe staff shortages are affecting service users.
This has all greatly affected the public’s ability to access
emergency services when and where they are most urgently needed.
“Our inquiry will reflect on how emergency services can be
organised so that the welfare of service users is always at the
forefront of decision-making.
“The Committee looks forward to hearing evidence and receiving
submissions that will demonstrate how decision-making at local
and national level could improve outcomes for service users and
achieve greater efficiency. We are also interested in hearing
whether the bodies involved - local providers, NHS Trusts and
Integrated Care Boards - have the level of autonomy they need to
deliver high quality services. We are aware of creative models
and practices of delivering emergency services across the UK and
more widely. We want to hear more about these innovations, how
they have been implemented, and the challenges they bring.”
