AN AMBULANCE provider which covers Hampshire is to team up with a London service in a bid to improve patient care.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) will join forces with London Ambulance Service (LAS) as part of a new partnership.

The agreement aims to bring about efficiencies through joint projects like procurement of vehicles, equipment and IT systems.

Ambulance bosses also hope it will deliver seamless access to care for patients, particularly commuters, wherever they are within the two areas.

Will Hancock, pictured, chief executive of South Central Ambulance Service said: “With ever-increasing demands on ambulance services across the country, such partnerships will be crucial to ensure that the improvements in patient care and experience, working environments for staff and innovations in service delivery can be delivered within our existing resources.”

“We would therefore like to explore opportunities to improve patient care for that large body of people we share between our two services, for example, through closer working between our 111 and integrated urgent care services.”

Garrett Emmerson, chief executive of LAS, said: “Our five-year strategy is improving the way in which we provide urgent and emergency care to people who live, work or travel in London in the most cost effective way.”