Ambulance deliveries ahead of schedule
Wednesday, 04 June, 2014
A replacement ambulance is delivered to Peterborough station this week
More than 100 replacement ambulances are now in action across the region – a month ahead of schedule.
The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) set out its intentions to purchase new ambulances earlier this year and 120 replacements are now in use.
The planned completion of the roll-out was the end of June, and EEAST Chief Executive Dr Anthony Marsh said: “I’m delighted that these ambulances have now been delivered across the region; our staff have worked incredibly hard in order to make this happen so quickly. But this is just the beginning and as the fleet replacement programme continues this year, we will have no vehicle older than five years by spring next year.
“We’re also working hard to achieve my other key priorities which include recruiting 400 new paramedics and up-skilling our emergency care assistants and emergency medical technicians. We know we have a lot of work to do in order to improve the service, but this is a great sign that we are on the right track.”
The final ambulance of the 120 replacements was delivered to Peterborough ambulance station [please view the video here and host on websites: http://youtu.be/YlBJQ7stHMs ].
Staff including Assistant General Manager Phil Parr welcomed its arrival and said: “The ambulances are a great addition to the fleet and we’re really pleased that the new Chief Executive has made this a priority. It’s important that we not only have as many ambulances on the road as possible, but also that they are in good working condition so that they are both reliable and the best environment in which to treat our patients.”
The Trust has also put in a replacement programme of 68 rapid response cars with brand new Skoda Scouts which is due to be completed this month.
