A private ambulance service is to open a new base in Norfolk and will be recruiting staff in the coming weeks.

Human Touch Ambulance Service mainly works in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, but is now looking to expand into Norfolk.

The clinically-led company provides a full range of ambulance services from its base near Peterborough, but plans to open a further base in Dereham, the location of which it has not yet revealed as negotiations are still being finalised.

The company holds contracts with the East of England Ambulance Service and NHS hospitals in the region, and already provides services to Papworth, Hinchingbrooke, Addenbrooke's, and a number of others. Patients are regularly taken to and from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, James Paget University Hospital and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn.

Human Touch will be holding an open day for potential staff at Norwich City's Carrow Road stadium on Friday, June 22, from 10am to 4pm, but hopes to continue to recruit in the coming months and years, as it expands in Norfolk and takes on new contracts.

Nurse and managing director Anita Human believes the success of Human Touch, which has been operating for six years, is down to a dedication to the highest quality of patient care.

The Care Quality Commission visited the ambulance service in March, and followed this with a positive inspection report. It has also had full inspection by the Critical Care Network which means Human Touch can now undertake critical care transfers.

To deliver a high quality service, the company provides comprehensive training and support for staff.

Mrs Human said: 'By investing in our staff, we know they will provide the patient with the care they need, when they need it most. That's the very essence of our core values.'

The company has also been nominated as Vince Cable's 'Hero Business' in the launch of the government's flagship Business Growth Accelerator Scheme.

For more information about Human Touch, visit www.humantouchuk.com or call 0800 345 7662.