This volume provides fresh insights and management understanding of the changing role of the
ambulance services against the backdrop of massive cuts in health budgets around the world and
the changing context of pre-hospital care within the wider healthcare networks. The challenges
of funding training and cultural transformation are now felt globally. The need to learn and
adapt from suitable models of ambulance service delivery have never been greater. The book
offers critical insights into the theory and practice of strategic and operational management
of ambulance services and the leadership needs for the service. One of the highlight of this
volume is to bring together scholarship using experts- academics practitioners and
professionals in the field to each of the chosen topics. The chapters are based in the
practical experiences of the authors and are written in a way that is accessible and suitable
for a range of audiences. We are confident that this book will cater to a wider audience to
inform policy and practice both in the UK and internationally. Paresh Wankhade is Professor of
Leadership and Management at Edge Hill University UK Kevin Mackway-Jones is the Medical
Director at North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust UK Endorsements ¿This unique and valuable
publication charts the history and development of the ambulance service in England over the
last hundred years or so. The role of this key emergency service has always been important and
arguably never more so than today. The contributing authors have not only provided the reader
with great insights into where the service has come from and the leadership challenges it has
and continues to face it also gives examples of how the future could look as our journey of
transformation continues.¿ Peter Bradley CBE MBA (and author of Taking Healthcare to the
Patient 2005) Chief Executive Officer. St John National Headquarters New Zealand With a year
on year increase in demand for emergency ambulances and over 9 million calls annually the UK
Ambulance Service must change from its emergency care and transport focus model. With the
increase in professionalism of paramedics and an uplift in assessment and clinical skills the
modern paramedic is increasingly able to treat at home direct patients with alternative care
pathways and avoid transportation to overburdened Emergency Departments. Whilst there is some
historical and cultural resistance to change there is a need for further development in
clinical skills and a new perspective for the future Ambulance Service. This book brings
together practitioners managers academics and provides a broad understanding of the major
management issues in the UK Ambulance Service. It includes the history of the Ambulance Service
quality and risk management issues commissioning leadership intra-operability and shape of
the future ambulance service. The content will be of interest to students practitioners and
academics. Sir Keith Porter Professor of Clinical Traumatology University Hospitals
Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust United Kingdom
