Paresh Wankhade, Professor of Leadership and Management in the Business School, has been awarded almost £350,000 by WAST, with potential scope for additional funding in the future.
The evaluation, in partnership with Swansea University, is designed to assess individual areas of work, such as patient care, staffing, digital tools and service planning, and how those areas interact and impact each other.
Professor Wankhade will also explore how work and activity is shared across WAST, asses where highest demand is experienced and determine whether there is duplication or overlap between different service areas.
“This award represents a significant prospect for Edge Hill’s Business School,” he said. “Not only in terms of research impact but also in offering exciting opportunities to build and leverage on the School’s research strengths.
“It puts us on the map for future evaluation opportunities from individual NHS ambulance trusts and independent evaluations or inquiries around the ambulance reform agenda.
“NHS Wales will benefit from a credible, independent and balanced evaluation of WAST’s transformation programme.”
The project is supported by Professor Axel Kaehne from Edge Hill’s Evaluation and Policy Analysis Unit and will run over the next three years.
Liam Williams, Executive Director of Quality and Nursing at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Following a robust procurement process we are pleased to announce Edge Hill University and Swansea University as our partners for this evaluation.
“Securing high quality services for the population of Wales not only requires continuous quality improvement, on occasion it requires us to re-examine the underpinning model and evidence to ensure that it remains appropriate for a changing healthcare landscape.
“The changes we have made are expected to secure the most effective approach to urgent and emergency care for the people of Wales and, having authoritative partners to evaluate the work we are doing is critical to securing public and clinical confidence.”
Find out more about how Edge Hill University’s research and Business School are having real-world impact.
February 6, 2026
