Patients and NHS staff across England are already benefiting from a major upgrade to the ambulance fleet, as more than 500 new vehicles are deployed to boost emergency care during one of the toughest winters in recent years.
The government has introduced the new fleet as part of its drive to support frontline services amid significant seasonal pressures, including a flu epidemic, increased demand for urgent care and the ongoing effects of recent industrial action. The new vehicles replace older ambulances across the country, representing one of the largest modernisation programmes of the NHS fleet in recent years.
The newly introduced double-crew ambulances feature advanced safety technology to protect both patients and paramedics. They are designed to improve reliability and reduce time out of service – an issue that has historically limited capacity during peak winter months.
Early evidence shows that the new fleet is already delivering results, with fewer breakdowns and more ambulances remaining operational and available for call‑outs. This has strengthened response times at a critical moment for the NHS.
The investment has also supported skilled manufacturing and conversion work across England, boosting local economies. Ambulances have been built or converted in towns and cities including Goole and Bradford, Sandbach, Peterborough, and London.
Officials highlight that this nationwide production effort has helped attract new investment, support high‑skilled jobs, and drive economic growth while delivering essential frontline equipment.
The fleet upgrade is one element of the government’s Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, which is investing in:
- 40 new same‑day emergency care units
- 40 urgent treatment centres
- 15 mental health crisis assessment centres
These measures aim to reduce A\&E pressures, improve patient flow and ensure people can access the right care as quickly as possible.
NHS National Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, Sarah Jane Marsh, commented:
“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.”
Looking ahead, a further £412 million has been committed over the next four years to continue renewing the ambulance fleet and modernising emergency services.
Despite the early flu peak and continued high demand, ambulance response times have improved compared to last year. The NHS has also delivered hundreds of thousands more vaccinations this winter, alongside expanding community care to ease the strain on busy emergency departments.
The new ambulance fleet forms a key part of this wider effort to improve resilience, support frontline staff and ensure patients receive timely, effective care throughout the winter months.
