A Bristol ambulance provider that serves the NHS has been rescued from administration, preserving hundreds of jobs and essential services. BAEMS, trading as Bristol Ambulance EMS, entered administration last week following serious legal action earlier in May.
Background of BAEMS
The private company supplies emergency ambulances and specialist drivers to the NHS and other healthcare operators across the United Kingdom. It also offers non-emergency patient transport and a range of paediatric, neonatal, and adult intensive care transfers, as well as providing paramedic crews to the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.
The Administration Process
Earlier this month, HMRC filed a petition to wind up the business, as reported by our sister site Bristol Live. On Friday, Nick Harris and Lucinda Coleman of PKF Francis Clark were appointed as joint administrators. On the same day, they completed the sale of the business and its assets to EMED Group, a national provider of specialist transport and care services.
It is understood that the transfer of operations was carefully planned to ensure continuity of transport and specialist ambulance services for patients, NHS partners, and healthcare organisations across Bristol and the South West. Approximately 315 staff and 120 ambulances and operational services across seven depots will transfer to EMED Group as part of the agreement.
Statements from Key Figures
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.”
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. 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.”
Next Steps
It is understood that the administrators have worked with commissioners and partners of BAEMS to transition all 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 at dan.ott@pkf-francisclark.co.uk.
