AMBULANCES responding to incidents in Somerset will be controlled by an organisation covering 10,000 square miles following the Government’s approval of a merger of two trusts.
Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust has joined with South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust to form a single foundation trust.
The merger, which has been approved by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will cover an area from Cornwall to The Cotswolds.
Opponents fear the organisation is too big, but bosses believe it will improve efficiency and cut costs.
Chief executive Ken Wenman claims the workforce and staff will be easier to control in the face of Government cuts.
The new trust, which will serve 5.3million people, will have 4,000 employees over 100 sites and is expected to field some 250,000 calls every year.
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