- Every region of England has received new emergency vehicles,
in biggest upgrade of ambulance fleet in recent years
- Backed by £75 million, new vehicles already helping to cut
response times for patients
- Many ambulances converted in UK, boosting economic growth and
supporting British jobs
Patients and staff across the country are benefiting from a new
fleet of over 500 ambulances, as the government strengthens
frontline emergency services this winter amid a flu epidemic.
The vehicles – which will replace old ambulances across England –
represent one of the biggest upgrades to the NHS fleet in recent
years and have been rolled out to every region of England,
helping emergency services respond faster and more reliably
through winter.
The new double crew ambulances are equipped with modern safety
technology, improving protection for patients and staff while
supporting paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively.
The rollout is already making a difference. The new ambulances
have reduced breakdown rates and time spent out of service,
meaning more vehicles have remained on the road and available to
respond to emergencies.
The government investment has also supported skilled jobs, with
ambulances converted by businesses across the country – including
Goole and Bradford in Yorkshire, Sandbach in Cheshire,
Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, and London – helping attract
investment and drive economic growth.
Health and Social Care Secretary, said:
In an emergency, every minute matters. When someone dials 999,
they should get help fast - not be left waiting because of
creaking kit or preventable delays.
These new ambulances are already helping to cut response times
and keep more vehicles on the road, just as the NHS is facing a
tidal wave of flu and the ongoing disruption of strikes.
I want to thank NHS staff for their extraordinary dedication this
winter. They are going above and beyond for patients, often in
incredibly tough conditions, and this government is backing them
with the modern equipment they need to do their jobs safely and
effectively.
Modernising our ambulance fleet means better care for patients
and stronger emergency services - while backing British jobs and
driving economic growth.
NHS national director for urgent and emergency care, Sarah
Jane Marsh said:
Modern, well-equipped and reliable ambulances are a vital part of
emergency care and allow staff to respond quickly and safely when
patients need them most.
This new fleet of ambulances are a crucial link between providing
patient care whether at home, in transit or at an emergency
department and are a real boost at a time when staff are working
incredibly hard and emergency care is under considerable
pressure.
Through the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, the government is
going further to boost resilience by investing in 40 new same-day
emergency care and urgent treatment centres and 15 mental health
crisis assessment centres.
The government has committed a further £412 million over the next
four years to continue renewing the ambulance fleet and
modernising emergency services.
The announcement comes as the NHS manages significant winter
pressures, including an early flu peak and the effects of recent
industrial action.
Despite this, ambulance response times have improved compared to
last year, hundreds of thousands more vaccines have been
delivered, and more care has been delivered in the community to
help keep patients away from overcrowded A&E departments.
Rory Deighton, Acute and Community Director, NHS Confederation,
said:
Health leaders will welcome these new ambulances to the
country's fleet which will help the NHS to continue to
provide better, faster and more appropriate emergency care, an
area which is facing high demand and rising public concern over
performance.
NHS leaders and their teams are working incredibly hard to keep
patients safe, but rising flu levels, increased staff sickness
and industrial action is having an impact, so making sure the NHS
does not continue to fall into crisis each winter is essential
for improving public confidence in the health service.
Strong collaboration between all health partners in the system
and with local government, including improvements to emergency
care through the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan will be key to
sustained progress over the next year.
Jason Killens KAM, Chair of the Association of Ambulance Chief
Executives and Chief Executive of London Ambulance Service
said:
These new vehicles are a key part of the ongoing
modernisation of ambulance fleets across the country, ensuring we
can meet the needs of patients not only during what is already a
very challenging winter, but for many years to come.
The new ambulances include a range of design improvements that
enhance patient care and staff safety. They are lighter, more
fuel‑efficient and produce fewer emissions, while supporting
paramedics to deliver urgent care more effectively. Their
improved reliability also means fewer breakdowns and less time
out of service, keeping more vehicles on the road and ready to
respond to patients.
