In a ground breaking move, West Midlands Ambulance Service is set to become the first ambulance University NHS Foundation Trust in the country.

For over a decade, all paramedics in the West Midlands have been educated and trained at university and the Trust also undertakes world leading research with a number of universities. It's perhaps fitting then that the Trust is working with the University of Wolverhampton to become the first university ambulance service.  

Currently the Trust works closely with four universities in the education of paramedics: University of Wolverhampton, University of Worcester; Staffordshire University and Coventry University. The Trust also undertakes a great deal of research with a range of institutions including the University of Warwick, University of Birmingham; University of Sheffield; University of Nottingham; and Swansea University as well as other health organisations. Trust Chairman, Sir Graham Meldrum, said:

“Our work with the universities is producing tangible benefits for the Trust, our staff and ultimately benefits our patients.  We are therefore planning to introduce the title of “University” into the organisation’s name.

“We have a significant role to play in the education and training of our current and future workforce, contribute to the research and evidence base to develop the paramedic profession, and extend our understanding of the urgent and emergency care needs in the pre-hospital environment.”

The cost of implementation is minimal as the Trust will not rebrand its fleet or buildings, except when they would have been replaced in any case. If the outcome of the consultation is positive, the Trust will initially sign an agreement with the University of Wolverhampton which would include the permission to use the title university in the Trust name. Geoff Layer, Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, said:

“We are delighted to be working with West Midlands Ambulance Service to strengthen their links with our University and the wider university network. Our own work will see us significantly increase the number of graduate paramedics we are training and together we plan to establish a Research & Development Hub, clinical research, major incident planning and response research and other associated training, accreditation and development.

“In the view of our Board of Governors, this memorandum is an excellent development that recognises our close working relationship with WMAS but also the very significant work that the Trust undertakes within the university field for the benefit of staff and patients alike.”

WMAS Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, added: “We now have an opportunity to formally recognise the role we play both in the education of paramedics and research activities to advance paramedic science.

“In addition, we think that the term University in our name will convey the fact that paramedics have become a graduate profession and make it more attractive as a career to a wider range of the community.

“Most importantly, it will help our patients, our local population and stakeholders to see the vital links between health, education and research which lead to better outcomes for us all.”