An ambulance service is celebrating 20 years of delivering emergency care.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has marked two decades of transformation since it was formed by combining several county ambulance services.
It now serves a population of more than six million people.
Anthony Marsh, chief executive officer of WMAS, said: “As we celebrate 20 years since the creation of the merged West Midlands Ambulance Service, I want to thank every member of staff for the incredible difference you make every day.”
The Trust has reduced the number of patients taken to hospital, with less than half of 999 callers now transported thanks to advanced assessments.
Patients can receive care on scene or be referred to community services instead.
WMAS has invested in digital tools like electronic patient records, vehicle tracking, and real-time data sharing with hospitals to support faster and safer decision-making.
The Trust has also developed modern operational hubs with upgraded staff facilities and the most modern fleet in any ambulance service in the UK.
It has some of the most resilient Emergency Operations Centres and dedicated training facilities that support a 24/7 mobile healthcare service.
As the UK’s first University Ambulance Service, WMAS has also helped drive the professionalisation of paramedicine through education, research and specialist clinical roles.
WMAS has also reached several landmark milestones, including becoming an NHS Foundation Trust in 2013 as well as responding to some of the most significant challenges in modern healthcare, including the Covid pandemic and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Mr Marsh said: “During that time we’ve transformed as an organisation, embracing new technology, modernising our fleet and estates, developing our workforce and continually improving the care we provide to patients.
“I’m immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved together over the last 20 years, and I look forward to seeing the service continue to innovate and deliver outstanding care for many more years to come.”