twentyfiveseven

1 Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'ridiculous' Net Zero strategy to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.
reference.com
The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and set up practically 5,000 charging points at healthcare facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered automobiles.

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

The MoS can likewise reveal there are presently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances getting guests in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency situation automobiles for paramedics, consisting of 2 vehicles, 16 response vans and 3 motorcycles.

The latest electric ambulances have a series of approximately 200 miles, but paramedic crews in rural locations typically travel even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the typical response time in England for the most lethal 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds - compared to an NHS target of 7 minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, previous chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been struggling to fulfill their action targets. With these difficulties it is absurd to sidetrack NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the first fully electrical emergency ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' strategy to energize all UK ambulances

'Time, preparation and expenditure are entering into purchasing electric cars and developing chargers - a lot of which will never ever be installed - rather of improving response times.

'A lot more worrying is the challenge of updating the grid in time to satisfy the extra need.

'This is yet another case of environment policy racing ahead of technology with stunning results for and taxpayers.'

England's first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be utilized in city locations such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy per cent of our area is generally rural and this continues to be the biggest consider our transfer to electric - having the variety to run in areas where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electric ambulances considering that 2023, however has not used them to carry guests. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: 'New electric ambulances will conserve the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'
consumersearch.com
The NHS said: 'It is right we look for sustainable alternatives when they improve patient care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.'

Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS