RESIDENTS are being asked to vote on the future of an ambulance trust.

The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust meeting at Temple Hill Community Centre in Temple Hill Square, invites people to give their opinion on whether the trust should become a foundation trust.

This would mean decision making would be devolved to the trust from central government control, giving it greater freedom and ability to respond to the needs of residents.

The meeting on Monday (September 7) from 6.30 to 8.30pm, is part of a 12-week public and staff consultation across the south east.

Chief executive of the trust Paul Sutton said: “We have changed over the years from a service that transported patients to treatment, to a service that now brings specialised treatment to the patient.

“Already recognised as one of the best ambulance trusts in the country, our goal is to provide world-class care for local people, who deserve nothing less.

“We believe that becoming a foundation trust is the next step in our journey to achieving this aim.

“It’s important to us that we know what local people think about our FT plans and we hope they will come along to our meeting so they can find out more and give us their views.”

Ambulance clinicians will also be at the meeting to give a CPR demonstration and provide life-saving tips on resuscitation techniques.

To find out more about the consultation and becoming a member of the trust, call 01737 363838, email foundationtrust@secamb.nhs.uk or visit ysyc.secamb.nhs.uk.