Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘unreasonable’ Net Zero strategy to energize all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and install nearly 5,000 charging points at health centers and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered vehicles.

Health chiefs have actually declined to reveal just how much the new ambulances will cost, however main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million just to upgrade the grid and electrical facilities needed for charging points.

The MoS can likewise expose there are currently just two electric-powered ambulances getting guests in England – compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electric emergency situation vehicles for paramedics, including 2 cars and trucks, 16 response vans and three motorcycles.

The current electrical ambulances have a variety of as much as 200 miles, however paramedic crews in backwoods typically travel even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the typical action time in England for the most ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds – compared with an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, stated: ‘Ambulance services have been having a hard time to fulfill their action targets. With these obstacles it is absurd to distract NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the very first fully electric emergency ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘ridiculous’ plan to energize all UK ambulances

‘Time, preparation and expense are going into buying electrical cars and constructing battery chargers – numerous of which will never ever be installed – instead of enhancing response times.

‘A lot more concerning is the challenge of updating the grid in time to satisfy the extra demand.

‘This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of technology with shocking outcomes for clients and taxpayers.’

England’s very first electrical ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be provided this year to be utilized in urban areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‘Seventy per cent of our area is generally rural and this continues to be the greatest element in our relocate to electric – having the range to operate in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electrical ambulances because 2023, however has not used them to transport guests. Another 8 will be provided to the service this year.

The Department of Health said: ‘New electric ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.’

The NHS said: ‘It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they improve patient care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.’

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