Frequently Asked
Questions
01 What is the new group model?
Both organisations will remain separate legal entities and continue delivering local services but by working as one group we can share resources, standardise clinical models and improve patient care across the Southeast.
We will not form a group immediately, the first step will be to deepen our collaboration by aligning under a single leadership structure, with a Chair in Common and a Group CEO who will be tasked to develop the formal Group.
02 Why are the two services joining forces?
Demand for ambulance services is rising and both organisations face financial challenges. By collaborating, we can reduce duplication, improve efficiency and invest more in frontline care.
This approach also helps us meet NHS requirements for sustainability and performance improvement.
03 Will this change how I access ambulance services?
The way you access care will not change. You will still call 999 in an emergency and 111 for urgent advice. Our goal is to make sure the care you receive is faster, more consistent and better integrated with other health services.
04 Will response times improve?
By aligning operational models and sharing resources, we aim to reduce variation in response times across the region. This means more patients will receive timely care, especially for life-threatening emergencies – that is our aim.
05 Will local services disappear?
Local ambulance response locations and teams will remain in place. The group model strengthens local delivery by giving teams more support and clearer divisional structures, while ensuring patients continue to receive care that meets local needs.
06 How will this benefit patients?
Patients will see:
- More consistent care across the South East
- Fewer unnecessary trips to Emergency Departments, thanks to better care navigation and alternative pathways
- Improved outcomes through standardised clinical models
- More resources directed to frontline care, as we reduce corporate overheads
07 How will this benefit staff?
Staff will have:
- Better career opportunities and clearer progression routes
- Improved support services, including occupational health
- Greater flexibility, with easier movement across the region without retraining
- Empowered local teams, with more autonomy and accountability
08 Will this save money?
By reducing duplication and corporate overheads, we believe we can unlock millions in savings. These savings will be reinvested into patient care and frontline services, helping us deliver better outcomes without compromising quality.
09 Will patients be consulted on these changes?
Patients will be engaged throughout the development of the group model and their feedback will help shape how benefits are delivered. However, this will not be a full public consultation because both services will remain in place, continuing to respond to local needs.
10 When will these changes happen?
The transition will be phased over the coming months and years. We will share regular updates on this microsite so you can follow progress and see how improvements are being delivered.
SCAS and SECAmb are beginning a journey to work more closely together under a group model. The first step will be appointing a shared Chair and Chief Executive to provide unified leadership. Over time, this approach will help us improve patient care, support our people, and create a sustainable future for ambulance services in the Southeast.
01 What is the group model?
The group model will bring SCAS and SECAmb together under a single leadership structure while keeping both organisations as separate legal entities. This means shared governance, aligned strategies and joint working at scale but local services and identities will remain.
02 Why are we making this change?
Both services face rising demand, workforce pressures and financial challenges. By working as one group, we can reduce duplication, standardise clinical models and invest more in frontline care. This approach also helps us meet NHS requirements for sustainability and performance improvement.
03 Will my job change?
For most staff, there will be no immediate changes to roles or responsibilities. The initial focus is on leadership alignment. Over time, there may be new opportunities for career progression, mobility across the region and involvement in shaping new ways of working. Any changes will be communicated clearly and will follow the respective organisational change policies.
04 Will there be job losses?
At this stage, this will only affect the Chair and CEO roles, as the first step is leadership alignment, not workforce reduction. If future changes are needed to improve efficiency, we will follow NHS processes and support colleagues through redeployment and other options. Our priority is to protect staff wherever possible.
05 How will this benefit staff?
- Better career opportunities across a larger organisation
- Clearer progression routes and development pathways
- Improved support services, including occupational health
- Greater flexibility, with easier movement between areas without retraining
- Empowered local teams, with more autonomy and accountability
06 Will my terms and conditions change?
There are no immediate changes planned as outlined before both organisations will remain separate employers and existing terms and conditions will continue to apply.
07 How will this improve patient care?
Standardising clinical pathways and operational models will reduce variation and improve outcomes. Enhanced care navigation will mean fewer unnecessary trips to Emergency Departments and resources saved from duplication will be reinvested in frontline services.
08 What does this mean for leadership and management?
The Group Chief Executive and Group Chair will lead both SCAS and SECAmb’s Trust Boards. They will be Chief Executive and Chair of the two trusts. Local structures will remain, with earned autonomy and accountability to ensure decisions reflect local needs.
09 Will staff be involved in shaping the changes?
Staff engagement is a priority. We will share updates and involve colleagues in designing new models in the future. However, it is important to note that this is not a full consultation because both services will remain, but your voice matters in shaping how the group works.
10 When will this happen?
The transition will be phased over the coming months and years. We will provide regular updates through internal channels and the microsite, so you know what’s happening and when.
11 Is this a merger?
No. A merger would create a single organisation. Under a group model, both organisations remain separate and legally independent, with their own Boards, accountabilities and local identity.
What changes is that the organisations will work more closely together under shared leadership and a common strategic direction, where this supports better outcomes for patients, staff and services.
12 What work is already happening across the organisations?
Joint work is already underway in a number of areas where collaboration brings clear benefits, including:
- Clinical model development
- Procurement (such as systems and services)
- Workforce and operational alignment
- Sharing best practice across teams
This approach helps reduce duplication, improve consistency, and build on what already works well in each organisation.
13 How will staff feedback be gathered and used?
Feedback is being gathered through a range of routes, including:
- Engagement sessions
- Cascade briefings
- Team and local discussions
- FAQs and online resources
There will continue to be opportunities for staff to share ideas, concerns and suggestions.
Feedback will play an important role in shaping how the group develops, including what should remain local and where working together adds the most value.
14 How will communication improve, especially for frontline staff?
With the appointment of our new joint Chair and Chief Executive, we will look to ramp up communications in the coming months. This will be done through the usual communications channels used by the two organisations
A key focus is ensuring that colleagues across both trusts have easily and clear access to timely and consistent information.
15 How can staff ask questions or raise concerns?
Staff can:
- Ask questions during engagement sessions
- Speak to line managers, HR teams, trade unions or Freedom to Speak Up guardians
- Contribute to shared feedback channels and FAQs
16 What support is available during this change?
We recognise the change can be unsettling, so if you are concerned or worried, then please use the support and wellbeing mechanisms open to you at your trust.
17 Will this affect my role?
There are no immediate changes to roles as a result of moving to a group model.
Any future changes would be subject to full engagement and consultation, in line with NHS processes.
The aim of closer working is to strengthen services and make best use of our collective skills and experience, while continuing to support staff.
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