Great Western Ambulance Service

Great Western Ambulance Service

Map of the Great Western Ambulance Service area

The Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) was a National Health Service (NHS) ambulance service in England, providing emergency medical services to the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and the former county of Avon. It was established in 2006 and operated until 2013, when it was merged into the South Western Ambulance Service.

History

The Great Western Ambulance Service was formed on 1 April 2006, following the merger of the Avon, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire ambulance services. This reorganization was part of a national initiative to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ambulance services across England.

Operations

GWAS provided emergency medical services, including paramedic response, patient transport, and urgent care services. The service operated a fleet of ambulances, rapid response vehicles, and other specialized units to respond to medical emergencies across its service area.

Service Area

The service covered a diverse geographical area, including urban centers such as Bristol, Bath, and Gloucester, as well as rural areas in the Cotswolds and Wiltshire.

Emergency Response

GWAS was responsible for responding to 999 emergency calls, providing pre-hospital care, and transporting patients to hospitals. The service worked closely with other emergency services, including the police and fire service, to ensure a coordinated response to incidents.

Great Western Air Ambulance

Great Western Air Ambulance helicopter

The Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAA) was an integral part of the service, providing rapid response to critical incidents where road access was limited or time was of the essence. The air ambulance was staffed by a team of highly trained paramedics and doctors, capable of delivering advanced medical care at the scene of an incident.

Merger and Legacy

In 2013, the Great Western Ambulance Service was merged into the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust as part of a strategic move to consolidate services and improve patient care across the region. The merger aimed to streamline operations and enhance the quality of emergency medical services provided to the public.

Related Pages

• South Western Ambulance Service
• National Health Service
• Emergency medical services in the United Kingdom