Ambulance services: the canary in the coalmine for NHS pressures

2025-09-03

In this episode of Health on the Line, we dive deep into the challenges and future of the ambulance sector, often described as the ‘canary in the coalmine’ for NHS pressures. Host Matthew Taylor is joined by three leading voices in the field: Anna Parry, managing director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives Simon Weldon, chief executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service Dr John Martin, chief executive of South Western Ambul...

In this episode of Health on the Line, we dive deep into the challenges and future of the ambulance sector, often described as the ‘canary in the coalmine’ for NHS pressures.

Host Matthew Taylor is joined by three leading voices in the field:

Anna Parry, managing director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives

Simon Weldon, chief executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service

Dr John Martin, chief executive of South Western Ambulance Service

Together, they explore the implications of the NHS's 10 Year Health Plan and the Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Plan for ambulance services. From digital integration and neighbourhood health to the evolving role of paramedics, this conversation highlights both the ambition and the complexity of transforming urgent care while "flying the plane" of daily service delivery.

Health on the Line is an NHS Confederation podcast, produced by Health Comms Plus.

We also hear from Sarah Walter, director of the ICS Network at the NHS Confederation, to discuss the model region blueprint, a document that will set out how the English regions will be managed in the future and what that means for integrated care boards and providers alike.

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