Press release: NHS Confederation welcomes new Ambulance Service Network director
10 Mar 2008
The NHS Confederation has appointed Liz Kendall as the director of its Ambulance Service Network, which represents all ambulance service trusts.
Liz will join the newly formed network at the start of May. She was previously a special advisor to the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP when she was Secretary of State for Health. She was also Director of The Maternity Alliance, the national charity for pregnant women, new parents and babies under one, and Associate Director at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank.
The Ambulance Service Network was launched in January 2008, following the merger of the Ambulance Service Association with the NHS Confederation. John Burnside, Chief Executive of the North West Ambulance Service has been elected as chair of the network board which held its inaugural meeting last month. It now 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 NHS Confederation represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, and provides a strong independent voice for NHS leadership to help improve patient health and care.
Liz Kendall said:
"I am delighted to be joining the NHS Confederation and representing its members in the ambulance service. Ambulance trusts are making great strides in improving patient care and delivering new clinical services, and are an integral part of the NHS. I am looking forward to working with trusts and their partners to ensure the NHS provides the best possible emergency and urgent care services."
Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, commented:
"Liz will bring a wealth of experience to the NHS Confederation as director of the new Ambulance Service Network. With a proven track record in healthcare and wider public policy, she is well placed to ensure the ambulance service is not only at the heart of the NHS, but leading the way in the policy and delivery of emergency care. I am sure she will be an outstanding representative for the sector and the Confederation is pleased to have her on board."
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
2. The Ambulance Service Network represents all ambulance trusts in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Gibraltar, Isle of Man and Isle of Wight. It was established in January 2007 to provide a distinct voice for the ambulance service. The Network is part of the NHS Confederation.
Contact details
Contact Niall Smith 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309, Ruth Kennedy 020 7074 3312 or 07884 47 3086, or Ruby Casey-Knight 020 7074 3306 or 07881 957305. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
Back to media centre
