31.07.18
More than £10m on the way for new ambulance fleet
Over £10m has been committed to replace an entire fleet of 100 ambulances in Wales.
The announcement by Welsh health secretary Vaughan Gething announced the funding of £10.23m to replace some of the ageing vehicles with new, more efficient, and greener carriers for patients across Wales.
The fleet includes 25 new ambulances, 33 rapid response vehicles, 33 non-emergency passenger transport vehicles, and 9 specialist emergency vehicles for major incidents.
The new ambulances will be more manoeuvrable and meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards, and will join the current Welsh Ambulance Service which currently has over 700 vehicles in its fleet.
Gething said: “I am pleased to be able to announce funding of £10.23m to replace some of our ageing ambulances and other passenger transport vehicles with more modern, fuel efficient and greener versions.
“This investment will enable the Welsh Ambulance Service to upgrade its fleet to ensure it has the most appropriate vehicles to deliver the best care for the people of Wales.”
Richard Lee, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s director of operations said: “Our ambulances and response cars in Wales are some of the most modern and well equipped in the UK and this funding will allow us to continue to replace our vehicles and crucially the clinical equipment that they carry as they reach the end of their working life.
“Modern ambulances and equipment are essential in order that we can continue to provide the best treatment and patient experience possible. It is key for our staff who spend the majority of their working day out and about in the community.”
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