Present
Prof Ian Cumming – Chairman of the Board of Directors
Public Constituency Governors
Peter Brookes – Birmingham
Anthony Bradley – Black Country
Brian Murray – Coventry and Warwickshire
Brenda Richards – West Mercia
Eileen Cox – Staffordshire
Robin Cooke – Staffordshire
Staff Constituency Elected Governors
Sarah Lawson – Emergency and Urgent Operational Staff
John Auerbach – Emergency and Urgent Operational Staff
Matt Brown – Support Staff
Inderpal Sidhu – Non-Emergency Operational Staff
Appointed Governors
Dave Fitton – CFR Regional Forum
In Attendance
Phil Higgins – Trust Secretary
Suzie Wheaton – Governor and Membership Engagement Officer
Vivek Khashu – Strategy & Engagement Director
Pippa Wall – Head of Strategic Planning
Mohammed Fessal – Non-Executive Director
Julie Jasper – Non-Executive Director
Sukh Nat – Non-Executive Director
Minutes
05/25/01
Welcomes, Apologies and Chairman’s Announcements
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Duncan Spencer, Khalid Ali, Roy Alcroft and Cllr Ed Lawrence.
The Chairman began the meeting by addressing the current situation with NHS E and the Integrated Care Boards. The Council of Governors will be updated with any further information at the next meeting.
The Chairman stated that we would like to put on record his tremendous thanks to the CEO, assistant chiefs and all staff in achieving 29 minutes for CAT 2. The CEO was determined to hit this target, and everyone has worked so hard to achieve it. We often talk about targets and numbers but what we have to remember is there is a patient at the end of every one of those. It has been a remarkable effort so I would like to thank every single member of staff.
The Chairman noted that not only did the Trust achieve this target but also the Trust has come in on budget whilst doing it. He stated it is not an easy task to do both and often you will see organisation do one or the other, so it is excellent news once again.
The Chairman lastly thanked the Governors who have been out and about, on observational shifts or have contacted the chairman.
Resolved
That the chairman’s update be noted.
05/25/02
Declarations of Interest
The Chairman asked governors to note the register of interests and made them aware that if there are any changes to report them to Suzie Wheaton, in order for the register to be updated.
The Council of Governors received the register of interests.
05/25/03
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of Governors that took place on 28th January 2025.
The chairman asked those governors that were in attendance at the meeting if they were happy to approve. Those in attendance approved the minutes.
Resolved
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 28th January 2025 be approved as a correct record.
There were no matters arising.
05/25/04
CEO Report
The CEO opened his report by discussing the 45 minute handover target and also the CAT 2 in 29 minutes.
He said the number of lost hours are eye watering. He made reference to a paper that had been circulated to the governors prior to the meeting that benchmarked lost hours by ambulance service.
He discussed that emergency activity is up by 2%.
The CEO discussed a number of areas during his report including:
- Clinical staff have a high compliance of training and pdc’s.
- The control has the best 999 call taking standard.
- Provided an overview of PTS and what they have achieved over the year.
- Anti-terror arrests in the UK and events around the world and how we need to be prepared to respond to any such events
- WMAS is the most efficient ambulance service in the country
- 10 year plan – national plan will be published in the summer. Vivek Khashu and his team ae already reviewing and in time we will bring the plan to the Council of Governors
- The winter plan will be presented to May board – this year there will be a contingency section so if the NHS/ Ambulance services get into difficulty what actions will be taken
- He discussed staff training and student/ grad paramedic training
- Ambulance, HART and PTS fleet
- Re- focus on roles of the assistant chiefs and directors
- Major incident exercising will be taking place every quarter
Lastly the CEO addressed the current situation in regards all NHS provider organisations that have to reduce corporate growth, this includes staff, IT, Insurances, etc. WMAS has to find £7m of cost savings. We are hoping not to make redundancies but if we have to it will be in consultation with unions.
That concluded the CEO report, and he opened the floor to questions.
Brenda Richards asked what were the causes of the lost hours, was it purely waiting outside of hospital or does it include ambulance breaks/ downtime?
The CEO confirmed it was purely waiting outside of hospital, other hours such as breaks are reported separately to these ‘lost hours’ figures.
John Auerbach asked a question about recruitment. Can you clarify that if you leave West Midlands Ambulance Service you cannot come back as a paramedic?
CEO confirmed that is correct. We simply don’t advertise and recruit for registered paramedics routinely, due to our workforce plan model and supply routes (SP and Grads). We actually put an advert out for registered paramedics a few years ago and some people did come back but the numbers that applied weren’t very high.
We don’t have a high attrition rate, in fact we have the lowest rate in the ambulance service nationally. We wish to have robust and comprehensive arrangements in place to retain our staff.
Resolved
The Council of Governors noted the presentation
05/25/05
People Committee
The Chairman called upon Mohammed Fessal, Non Executive Director to present on his work as Chairman of the People Committee.
Mohammed introduced himself and provided an overview of the People Committee that he chairs.
He outlined the members that sit on the committee and the groups that feed into the committee, how often the committee meets and how it meets (e.g virtually and face to face).
He highlighted the risks that were flagged up in the BAF and topic areas that they have looked into these in greater depth with such as occupational stress and occupational culture.
He discussed the triangulation of speaking to staff and NED scrutiny and the importance of challenge.
The chairman thanked Mohammed for this presentation and the important work of the committee.
Resolved
The Governors received the report.
05/25/06
The chairman Introduced Pippa Wall to present.
Pippa discussed the quality account and how they had followed the same guidance they have had for a few years, in the absence of any recent guidance. The plan was to slim the document down, but she is awaiting confirmation if that is possible or not.
The document was circulated to the CoG for review and comments. The Governor Statement has also been circulated to the CoG for approval prior to its inclusion within the document.
Pippa informed the CoG of the areas that were still awaiting further feedback and discussed the importance of ensuring the document is in an accessible format.
Julie Jasper informed the CoG that additional updates are to come from audit, she also mentioned that audits of data quality and clinical audits have taken place offering significant control and reassurance.
The governors were asked for any comment and to approve the Governor Statement.
Resolved
The governors received the report and approved the Governor Statement for inclusion in the Quality Account.
05/25/07
CQC Update
The Chairman invited Vivek Khashu to present.
Vivek provided the CoG with overview of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), outlining that they are a quality regulator and that they don’t just regulate the NHS but all care providers and social care providers.
There has been a lot of changes to their procedures over the years in an attempt to reduce the burden of inspection, but a new team is currently being formed under the leadership of Julian Hartley.
Vivek informed the CoG that he speaks with the CQC on a regular basis in regard to concerns that both sides may have. It’s a running commentary.
Vivek discussed the regulation 12 notice that had been served due to response times and hospital handover delays. WMAS have asked the CQC why those Acutes responsible for the delays were not being treated in the same way, i.e. been served with a section 12 notice in relation to risk of serious patient harm.as the hospital should be accountable.
The Chairman thanked Vivek for his presentation and noted the professional and collaborative relationship that the Trust has with the CQC thanks to Vivek’s approach.
The CEO mentioned another regulator we have is OFSTED as we are University Trust. He informed the CoG that OSTED were impressed when they inspected the Training and Education Department of the Trust and they asked to work with us to trial their new framework for inspections. We are delighted to host them.
This concluded Vivek’s report.
Resolved
Governors received the presentation.
05/25/08
Governor Updates
The Chairman invited Governors to discuss any visits that they had untaken should they wish to do so.
Brenda Richards mentioned two visits to the control rooms she has undertaken, one of MP and Stafford. She stated how impressed she was with the patience and efficiency of the staff and the manner in which they speak to people. The way they work with each other and the respect they have is heart-warming. It made me very proud to be a public governor.
Anthony Bradley talked about an observational shift he had undertaken with a crew from Sandwell. He was pleased to see that one of the staff members was now a manager as well.
Dave Fitton highlighted a resent Freedom to Speak Up event he attended. He mentioned it was a really useful day. He has also asked if CFRs can attend hub health and wellbeing days, which they can and he mentioned the CFRs are really grateful to be included in those events. He also mentioned going on an observational shift with Sarah Lawson.
Peter Brookes had also been out on a shift with Sarah. He said Sarah really is one of the best. Sarah work with different crew mate at different times and it is always a pleasant experience going out with them.
Resolved
The Governors noted the updates.
05/25/09
Attendance
The chairman noted that there were no issue to currently report but highlighted the following for reference:
If a Governor fails to attend 3 meetings of the Council of Governors in any rolling year period, they shall cease to hold office unless the Chair is satisfied that:
- The absence was due to a reasonable cause; and
- The person will be able to start attending meetings of the Council of Governors again within such a period as the Chair considers reasonable.
Resolved
The governors noted the report
05/25/10
Schedule of Business and Meeting Dates for the Council of Governors 2025
Chairman asked the Governors to receive the Council of Governors schedule of business for the year ahead and requested that Governors note the meeting dates in their diaries.
Suzie Wheaton maintains the schedule and any amendments will be reported to each meeting of the Council of Governors or emailed.
Resolved
Governors are asked to receive the report
05/25/11
Any Other Urgent Business notified to The Membership and Governor Engagement Officer in advance of the meeting.
No other business was raised.
05/25/12
Date of the next meeting
30th July 2025