THE AMBULANCE service operating across the Thames Valley has been chosen to deliver a new 'Thames Valley 111' service.

South Central Ambulance Service is the current provider of NHS 111, the non-emergency number for people wishing to speak to a medical professional.

Now the trust has been chosen by the region's 10 clinical commissioning groups to run an integrated urgent care service starting next year and running for five years.

It will offer patients 24/7 urgent clinical assessments and treatments, incorporating NHS 111, out-of-hours GPs and other advice on dental, medicines and mental health.

Initially a different national provider, Care UK, was chosen as the preferred supplier but it withdrew over issues with its bid.

Sam Burrows, the senior responsible officer for the procurement process said: "We are pleased to be working with SCAS on this exciting transformation, building on the strong performance currently delivered to patients across the Thames Valley.

"We are now entering a co-production phase with SCAS, which is still an ongoing part of the procurement process.

"A formal contract will be awarded once this phase has been completed successfully."

SCAS chief operating officer Philip Astle said: "SCAS is delighted to be working with the Clinical Commissioning Groups and our partners from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to design and deliver a transformational service for the people of the Thames Valley for the next five years."