£5m funding boost for ambulances

New emergency ambulances are to be fitted with vehicle locators

The Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust is to receive a £5m to replace emergency vehicles.

The money will buy 31 new ambulances, 28 rapid response vehicles and 28 patient care services vehicles as part of a modernisation of the fleet.

A further £10m is being used to install vehicle location systems into emergency ambulances, allowing the nearest to be deployed to a patient.

The Welsh Assembly Government funding is part of an ongoing programme.

The investment, announced by Health Minister Edwina Hart, is in addition to more than £22m from the assembly government in recent years to modernise the fleet.

The extra £5m will also buy nine district transport vehicles and seven specialist vehicles.

It will be a big boost for those working in the ambulance service Dave Galligan, Unison spokesman

The new vehicles are being bought as part of a rolling programme that regularly replaces ageing vehicles with the aim to improve reliability, patient safety and comfort.

It also aimed at ensuring all vehicles are fit for purpose and lead to a reduction in lost hours, as older vehicles are more prone to breaking down.

Ambulance service workers have commended ministers for giving the service a "big boost" in tough financial times.

Unison's health spokesman in Wales Dave Galligan said: "From our point of view, any investment is a valid investment that will improve the access to services for patients across Wales.

"The £5m is part of an ongoing programme and most people would say the visibility felt on the road is so much more improved. That investment is excellent.

"But the main thing is the £10m funding for the vehicle location system. This is an added arsenal whereby the controllers are able to point the appropriate vehicle to the right place.

"At the moment it requires good knowledge on the part of control.

Stringent times

"In very stringent financial times, we are not naive enough to think others are not competing for this funding.

"It will be a big boost for those working in the ambulance service."

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesman said: "We welcome this investment in fleet which will further support the service's modernisation of its infrastructure and our determination to continue improving the ambulance service in Wales."

Ms Hart said: "Ensuring the ambulance service has state-of-the-art, modern equipment is essential if patients are to receive the service they need.

"The new vehicles will improve the experience of patients and also improve working conditions for staff.

"The assembly government is also investing more than £10m to install automated vehicle location systems into all emergency ambulances.

"The equipment will enable ambulance controllers to better track ambulances to help in the deployment of the nearest ambulance to a patient. It will also allow controllers to automatically send the location and details of the patient to the ambulance crew.

"I know that staff work extremely hard and are doing their best under constant pressure and being equipped with the latest equipment and vehicles will support them in their work."