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Welsh Ambulance Service marks first anniversary of future generations pledge

31.03.26

The Welsh Ambulance Service is celebrating the first anniversary of its pledge to protect the wellbeing of future generations.

The Trust’s wellbeing objectives were published a year ago under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which requires public bodies across Wales to work together to improve the long-term social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales.

The Trust has three wellbeing objectives focused on its role as an employer, a provider of care and as an anchor organisation committed to long-term sustainability.

These objectives were developed with staff and Trade Union partners.

Estelle Hitchon, Director of Partnerships and Engagement, said: “A year ago, we set out our long-term commitment to delivering outstanding care while being a progressive and socially responsible employer.

“I am particularly pleased that we developed our wellbeing objectives in partnership with our people and Trade Union partners.

“It’s so important that we get everyone involved in thinking long-term about the impact we make, both as a service and as individuals.

“As one of Wales’ anchor organisations, with a presence across the nation, I’m keen that we continue our journey to be as progressive and forward-thinking as possible.

“During 2026 and into 2027, we will start work on reviewing and refreshing our long-term strategy, which is an ideal opportunity for us to think even more deeply about our wellbeing objectives and how we bring those fully to life over the coming years.”

Key achievements in the Trust’s three priority areas over the past year include:

A socially responsible and inclusive employer –

  • The Trust held its first Social Partnership Conference to unite senior leaders, Trade Union partners and staff, with an opening address by Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership.
  • Its volunteer cohort has grown to nearly 900, including Community First Responders, Community Welfare Responders and Volunteer Car Service Drivers, with several moving into full-time, paid roles as part of its ‘Volunteer to Career’ approach, providing opportunities for people across Wales.
  • The Trust pledged to become an Endometriosis Friendly Employer, support staff with the disease and tackle menstrual health taboos in the workplace.

An innovative and sustainable organisation –

  • Ten fully electric MAXUS eDELIVER 5 vehicles joined the Trust’s fleet, alongside 20 Ford Transit Custom plug-in hybrids thanks to a £22.4 million investment by Welsh Government in cleaner, greener vehicles.
  • The Trust is trialling drone-delivered defibrillators in partnership with the University of Warwick and SkyBound to explore if they could make a difference to someone in cardiac arrest.
  • NHS 111 Wales launched Albot, an AI-powered virtual assistant to provide faster, more seamless health advice online as part of broader improvements to the website.
  • The Trust’s work to digitise patient records has been shortlisted for a HSJ Digital Award in the Outstanding Achievement in EPR Implementation and Optimisation category.

A pro-active, accessible and equitable care provider –

  • The Trust introduced new 999 call categories to ensure patients get the right care for their needs. The changes are in response to new performance measures by Welsh Government and the continued focus on patient outcomes, not solely on response times.
  • New specialist clinicians have been appointed to support paramedics and nurses in clinical contact centres to deliver remote consultations, enabling more patients to receive care closer to home.
  • The Trust is now the host organisation for Save a Life Cymru, a programme to promote early CPR and defibrillation and improve accessibility of defibrillators across Wales.

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service’s focus on people, sustainability and innovation reflects the kind of action the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act was designed to create. 

“Investing in prevention must remain a key priority if we are to reduce pressure on services and improve outcomes for people and it is one of the central recommendations in my Future Generations Report.

“I look forward to seeing how this strong foundation translates into improved care, support and wellbeing for people in our communities today and for generations to come.”

Learn more about the Welsh Ambulance Service’s wellbeing objectives: Our Wellbeing Objectives: Focused on the Future