New replacement ambulances and response vehicles will soon be on
the road thanks to a £23.1 million investment by the Welsh
Government.
The funding will pay for 160 vehicles for the Welsh Ambulance
Services University NHS Trust, 50 new emergency ambulances, 40
single responder vehicles, 67 Non-Emergency Patient Transport
Vehicles, and 3 specialist Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles.
Replacement vehicles meet the latest emissions standards,
reflecting Wales' commitment to cleaner air and lower carbon
emissions. The Welsh Ambulance Service continues to expand its
electric vehicle charging network and has introduced solar
panels, hybrid engines, and battery electric vehicles across
parts of its fleet.
The investment is part of the Welsh Ambulance Service's ongoing
modernisation programme.
The service has also been trialling defibrillator drones to reach
people in more rural parts of Wales, using video consultations to
assess patients remotely, and exploring the use of AI to support
999 call handlers, ensuring people receive faster, smarter care.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said:
When someone dials 999, they need to know that help is on the
way. This investment ensures our ambulance service has the
modern, reliable fleet it needs to be there for people across
Wales.
We're also making progress on our environmental commitments, with
cleaner, greener vehicles helping to reduce carbon emissions
while delivering the high-quality emergency care people expect.
Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resource for the
Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, Chris Turley said:
This continued investment in our fleet means we can provide a
more reliable service for the people of Wales. Modern ambulances
are more dependable, better equipped to support patient care and
provide a safer, more comfortable working environment for our
staff.
As the national ambulance service, covering 8,000 square miles,
we're also proud to be playing our part in reducing our
environmental footprint. From electric vehicles to solar panels,
we're committed to building a greener fleet for the future.
