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Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances
Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the ‘unreasonable’ Net Zero plan to amaze all UK ambulances within 15 years.
The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and set up almost 5,000 charging points at healthcare facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.
Health chiefs have actually refused to reveal how much the brand-new ambulances will cost, however main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million simply to update the grid and electrical facilities required for charging points.
The MoS can also reveal there are presently just 2 electric-powered ambulances choosing up travelers in England – compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electric emergency cars for paramedics, consisting of 2 cars and trucks, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.
The most recent electric ambulances have a variety of up to 200 miles, however paramedic teams in backwoods typically travel even more in a shift.
Latest figures reveal the average reaction time in England for the most dangerous ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds – compared to an NHS target of 7 minutes.
Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: ‘Ambulance services have been struggling to meet their response targets. With these obstacles it is absurd to distract NHS workers from their tasks with unrealistic Net Zero targets.
West Midlands Ambulance service launched the first fully electric emergency ambulance 2020
Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the ‘absurd’ strategy to amaze all UK ambulances
‘Time, preparation and expenditure are entering into buying electric automobiles and – a lot of which will never be installed – instead of enhancing reaction times.
‘Even more concerning is the difficulty of updating the grid in time to satisfy the additional need.
‘This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of technology with shocking results for patients and taxpayers.’
England’s first electric ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be used in metropolitan locations such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‘Seventy per cent of our location is generally rural and this continues to be the biggest element in our relocation to electric – having the variety to operate in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’
East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling 3 electric ambulances since 2023, however has actually not used them to carry travelers. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.
The Department of Health stated: ‘New electrical ambulances will conserve the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.’
The NHS said: ‘It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they improve client care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact action times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.’
Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS