Bristol Ambulance EMS rescued from administration, saving hundreds of jobs and services

The sale was a ‘complex and fast-moving’ process, according to the administrators

A Bristol ambulance provider used by the NHS has been rescued from administration, saving hundreds of jobs and services. BAEMS (trading as Bristol Ambulance EMS) collapsed into administration last week after facing serious legal action earlier in May.

The private company provides emergency ambulances and specialist drivers to the NHS and other healthcare operators across the UK.

Its also offers non-emergency patient transport and a range of paediatric, neonatal and adult intensive care transfers, as well as supplying paramedic crews to the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

But earlier this month, HMRC lodged a petition for the business to be wound up, our sister site Bristol Live revealed, and on Friday Nick Harris and Lucinda Coleman of PKF Francis Clark were appointed as joint administrators.

On Friday (May 22), the administrators completed the sale of the business and its assets to EMED Group – a national provider of specialist transport and care services.

It is understood the transfer of operations was “carefully planned” to support continuity of transport and specialist ambulance services for patients, NHS partners and healthcare organisations across Bristol and the South West.

Around 315 staff and 120 ambulances and operational services across seven depots will transfer into EMED Group as part of the agreement.

Mr Harris, partner in the restructuring team at PKF Francis Clark, said: “BAEMS provides important ambulance and patient transport services across the South West and continuity of those services has been a key priority while we have been working with the company over recent weeks to explore all options to secure its future.

“Following a complex and fast-moving sale process, involving negotiations with several interested parties, we are pleased to have completed a sale of the business to EMED Group, protecting the jobs of all employees.

“This outcome supports continuity for patients, NHS partners and operational teams whilst enabling services to continue under EMED Group.”

Business Live understands that EMED Group will work with local operational teams, NHS partners and staff over the coming weeks to support services, maintain patient care and begin a phased integration of systems and back-office functions.

Craig Smith, group chief executive of EMED Group, said: “Our immediate priority is supporting patients, Bristol Ambulance colleagues and NHS partners through this transition and ensuring services continue to operate safely and effectively.

“Over the last 15 years Bristol Ambulance has built a great operation, with outstanding CQC reports, and provides critical services across the region that enable access to healthcare in a wide range of settings. We are pleased to welcome colleagues into our family.”

Rob Johnson, chief executive at Bristol Ambulance EMS, said the company’s priority during the process had been “protecting continuity of service for patients” while also supporting staff.

“EMED have demonstrated a clear commitment to maintaining services, supporting teams and working closely with NHS partners during the transition period,” he said.

“I would also like to thank colleagues across Bristol Ambulance EMS for their professionalism, resilience and continued dedication to patient care throughout what has understandably been a challenging period.”

It is understood the administrators have worked with commissioners and partners of BAEMS to transition all the contracts operated by the business.

They were assisted by Paul Evans of PME Consulting; Andrew Knox, restructuring and insolvency partner at Stephens Scown; and valuation agents Simon Bamford and Josh Chivers of Gordon Brothers.

The administrators said they would “undertake their statutory duties” as the administration process progresses, including investigating BAEMS’s financial position and the circumstances leading to the winding‑up petition brought by HMRC, and will report back to creditors.

Creditors are invited to direct any immediate enquiries to Dan Ott at PKF Francis Clark’s Bristol office on dan.ott@pkf-francisclark.co.uk.