Efficient Government

Our bid for Stage 1 development funding from the Efficient Government Fund (EGF) has been approved. This has enabled us to undertake further feasibility work, prepare a full business case, and commence practical work with four local partnerships.

Following this, we'll submit a Stage 2 bid by the end of August 2006 that, if successful, will enable a roll-out programme across Scotland.

Improving Transport with Care Services

We held a national Transport with Care conference on 19 June 2006 at which Andy Kerr, Minister for Health and Community Care, provided the keynote address. The purpose of the conference was to launch the national programme and encourage discussion about current issues and challenges, and future opportunities for integrated local transport initiatives. You can find out more by downloading a copy of our conference report:

Improving Transport with Care Services [167Kb]

Liz Joyce and Adrian Matthews from East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust were invited to speak to the Conference about their experience with a similar project in Norfolk. You can find out about some of the challenges they faced, and solutions implemented, by viewing their presentation:

Norfolk Integrated Transport Presentation [2Mb]

Next Steps

  • Local partnerships in Dumfries and Galloway, Perth and Kinross, and South Lanarkshire are undertaking a data gathering exercise to provide shared evidence for the EGF business case. Data is to be collated and run through a common booking system to assess the potential for efficiencies if all vehicles are treated as a "virtual fleet".
  • EGF submission to be made to the Scottish Government by 31 August 2006
  • A Programme Board to be established with members from the SAS, NHS Boards, COSLA, CTA, and user and carer representatives.
  • Other local partnerships to be invited / encouraged to participate and, if possible, submit data - partnerships that have expressed an initial interest to date include: Orkney, Moray, and Aberdeenshire.
  • Further communication with all partnerships through this conference report and an update following submission of the EGF bid.