Edge Hill University Professor Awarded Major Funding for NHS Ambulance Research
Professor Paresh Wankhade, a distinguished academic in Leadership and Management at Edge Hill University's Business School, has secured significant research funding to evaluate the clinical transformation model of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust (WAST). The award, totaling almost £350,000, with potential for additional future funding, marks a substantial investment in healthcare research.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Ambulance Services
This evaluation project, conducted in partnership with Swansea University, is designed to thoroughly assess various critical areas of work within WAST. Key focus areas include patient care, staffing levels, digital tools, and service planning. The research will also examine how these different components interact and impact each other, providing a holistic view of the ambulance service's operations.
Professor Wankhade will specifically explore how work and activities are distributed across WAST, identify where the highest demand is experienced, and determine whether there is any duplication or overlap between different service areas. This detailed analysis aims to optimize efficiency and effectiveness in emergency medical services.
Significant Impact for Edge Hill University
"This award represents a significant prospect for Edge Hill's Business School," Professor Wankhade stated. "Not only in terms of research impact but also in offering exciting opportunities to build and leverage on the School's research strengths. It puts us on the map for future evaluation opportunities from individual NHS ambulance trusts and independent evaluations or inquiries around the ambulance reform agenda."
The professor emphasized that NHS Wales will benefit from a credible, independent, and balanced evaluation of WAST's transformation programme, which is crucial for maintaining public and clinical confidence in emergency healthcare services.
Three-Year Research Project with Expert Support
The research project will run over the next three years and is supported by Professor Axel Kaehne from Edge Hill's Evaluation and Policy Analysis Unit. This collaboration ensures rigorous methodological approaches and comprehensive analysis of the ambulance service's transformation efforts.
Liam Williams, executive director of Quality and Nursing at the Welsh Ambulance Service, commented on the partnership: "Following a robust procurement process we are pleased to announce Edge Hill University and Swansea University as our partners for this evaluation. Securing high quality services for the population of Wales not only requires continuous quality improvement, on occasion it requires us to re-examine the underpinning model and evidence to ensure that it remains appropriate for a changing healthcare landscape."
Williams added that the changes implemented by WAST are expected to secure the most effective approach to urgent and emergency care for the people of Wales, and having authoritative partners to evaluate this work is critical to securing public and clinical confidence in their services.
