AMBEX 2008 Latest
Monday, 14 April, 2008
The Confederation’s Ambulance Service Network will bring together emergency care professionals from across the world at AMBEX 2008, the largest pre-hospital emergency care event outside the USA, to be held at the Harrogate International Centre, Yorkshire, UK, 24 - 26 June 2008.
The organisation of AMBEX is a core part of the network’s programme of work. The network was formed following the merger of the Ambulance Service Association with the NHS Confederation. The merger took place in January 2008 to better enable the ambulance service to work more closely with other parts of the health service, while retaining a strong independent voice. The Ambulance Service Network’s members are spread across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Isle of Wight.
The NHS Confederation, which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, provides a strong independent voice for NHS leadership to help improve patient health and care. Now part of the NHS Confederation, the network will work to improve patient care by influencing policy and the public debate, supporting ambulance service leaders, and promoting excellence in employment. It aims to reflect the different perspectives as well as the common views of the many organisations delivering the modern NHS.
The Ambulance Service Network works alongside the Confederation’s other member networks for foundation trusts, primary care trusts, mental health trusts and independent sector providers of NHS care.
The ASN’s board comprises ten chief executives and chairs (5 of each) from ambulance trusts across the country. The board is chaired by John Burnside, Chief Executive of the North West Ambulance Service. Philip Selwood has been acting as interim director to ensure a smooth transition, to help set the agenda for the new network and is leading on AMBEX 2008 as well as setting in train the planning for 2009, and to this end will work alongside Liz Kendall the new director– previously a special advisor to the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP when she was Secretary of State for Health – who takes up the post this month. Philip has extensive experience in the sector, including time spent at London Ambulance Service and as Chief Executive of former trusts that make up the Great Western Ambulance Service.
The network is proud to continue the work of AMBEX in providing a unique opportunity for learning, information exchange, debate and networking for all those involved in the emergency healthcare sector. The theme of this year’s conference is Leading the Way in Emergency and Urgent Care and will explore issues in service delivery and clinical improvement, how ambulance services can be at the leading edge of developments taking place in emergency and urgent healthcare provision.
Speakers will include Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister of State for Health Service, Liz Kendall, director of the ambulance service network, as well as leading academics. The network is also pleased to announce that a Simon Weston OBE, Falkland’s veteran, will be delivering a keynote session.
Key sessions will focus on the NHS Review and Ambulance Services, examining trauma services, out of hospital care and skills for the future. Clinical areas such as stroke strategy and infection control will be explored, as well as the move towards world class commissioning. The event will investigate the impact of issues ranging from changing legislation and flooding to the London 2012 Olympics on the ambulance service.
The conference programme will offer opportunities for staff working in the emergency and urgent healthcare sector to showcase any initiative, case study or work in progress which demonstrates high quality patient care in the UK and beyond.
The exhibition is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, and demonstrates a wide range of products and services including the latest in emergency, rapid response and patient transport vehicles, medical equipment, uniforms and much more. It will also feature a specific programme of demonstrations and CPD training especially aimed at paramedic, emergency care and practitioner and ambulance technical visitors.
Exhibitors at AMBEX 2008 include, BOC Gases, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Ferno (UK), Honda, Intergraph, MEDACX, Milsys, NHS Direct, Paraid, Simulaids, SP Services, UCB Celltech and Zoll Medical to name but a few.
The ASN is working with its members to support the attendance of front line staff at AMBEX 2008 and to encourage staff to use the event for their continuing professional development. All conference sessions and a number of exhibition training sessions, including a selection from the British Paramedic Association, will be accredited for CPD.
Registration for the conference and exhibition will be available online now.
For further information on exhibiting at or visiting AMBEX 2008 please visit
www.ambex.net
