| Another Berkshire institution is facing amalgamation under Government regionalization plans. Royal Berkshire Ambulance Trust is to be merged with the three services covering Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. A 14-week consultation period has been launched by Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority, and the Berkshire Trust is supportive of the move.
RBAT Chairman Neil Goulden said: “This is an important milestone in the development of the ambulance service nationally. In principle, we support these proposals, which will free up resources and allow us to invest more in frontline services.”
Meanwhile, Thames Valley Police is strongly resisting government plans to merge the force with neighbouring Hampshire. The Thames Valley Police Authority has failed to respond ahead of a Home Office deadline, in line with every other police force. Thames Valley is one of the larger forces outside the big cities, but has one of the lowest officers per head of population in the country. | 
