Ambulance trust overview
All ambulance trusts have been assessed on their performance during 2002 / 2003 against a limited number of key targets and a further range of indicators. Key targets are the most significant factors in determining overall performance ratings this year. The ratings methodology for ambulance trusts is similar to that for acute trusts except that the set of key targets and indicators is smaller, reflecting the particular range of services offered by ambulance trusts.
Key targets
- category A calls meeting 14/19 minute target
- category A calls meeting 8 minute target
- financial management
- Improving Working Lives
Performance against targets is assessed in terms of whether the target has been achieved, whether there has been some degree of underachievement or whether the target was significantly underachieved. Trust performance is considered to be of concern if there are:
- several targets with some degree of underachievement
- one or more targets against which there has been significant levels of underachievement
- a combination of both
Indicators
The broader range of indicators make up a 'balanced scorecard' to refine the judgement on ratings. This balanced scorecard approach allows a broad range of areas to be measured within a single methodology. Trusts with high performance ratings therefore have to do well against a rounded set of indicators.
The indicators have been chosen to provide a balance across the clinical, patient, and capacity and capability focus areas outlined below:
Clinical focus
- clinical negligence
- thrombolysis protocols and procedures: training of paramedic staff
Patient focus
- category B/C calls meeting national 14/19 minute target
- GP urgent calls meeting national 15 minute target
- patient complaints procedure
Capacity and capability focus
- fire, health & safety
- information governance
- sickness absence rate
- staff opinion survey
For this year, clinical governance scores have not been incorporated into star ratings for ambulance trusts, who have only recently adopted clinical governance principles. CHI does intend to reflect clinical governance assessments in next year's star ratings.
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