Health chiefs in Suffolk are confident people will see more improvements in the region’s ambulance service after the results of a public research project were published.

More than 330 people took part in surveys and telephone interviews as part of the joint project between the East of England Ambulance Service Trust and Healthwatch Suffolk.

According to the research, positives for the service included the treatment patients receive and the service they get, while negatives focused around areas including waiting times and equipment failures.

Tessa Church, general manager of emergency operations in Suffolk, said: “Combining these views with the six priorities set out by our chief executive Anthony Marsh and the integration with many parts of the NHS in Suffolk we are improving the Ambulance Service for the people of Suffolk.”

“I would like to thank everybody who took the time to respond to our survey and as you see services improve in your area you will know that you played your part in these improvements.”

The results will be used by the trust to focus on patient experience and when looking into service improvements.

It will also be used by commissioners as part of a continuing review of health and social care services in Suffolk.

Tony Rollo, Healthwatch Suffolk chairman, added: “It is important that any changes or improvements to the delivery of services in our county are genuinely informed by the views and experiences of local people. Our role is to work with the trust and commissioners to ensure that people’s views are heard and that plans are delivered with patients at their heart. The Health and Social Care Review in Suffolk is an ideal opportunity to achieve this.

“We will be working with the East of England Ambulance Service, local commissioners and providers to take forward the findings of this report and track improvements.”

Visit www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk for more details on the project and recommendations which have been developed in light of what people have said.