Managers agree temporary cover after ambulance service collapses

Managers have secured a temporary agreement with a neighbouring ambulance trust following the collapse of a private ambulance service that was contracted to provide services for the NHS.

Private Ambulance Service Ltd, based in Essex, was issued with a winding-up notice by the Inland Revenue on 27 September. It will cease trading from 9 October.

Earlier this year, the company was awarded a contract by Bedfordshire, Luton, East and North Hertfordshire, and Herts Valley clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to provide non-urgent patient transport services in their areas after the previous provider, Medical Services Limited, served notice to quit its contract early.

Since then, concerns have been raised by patients, the trade union UNISON, and some of the firm’s …