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 desert all its diesel ambulances and set up practically 5,000 charging points at health centers and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered lorries.

Health chiefs have actually refused to reveal how much the brand-new ambulances will cost, but main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million simply to upgrade the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for charging points.

The MoS can also reveal there are presently simply two electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England – compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency vehicles for paramedics, consisting of two vehicles, 16 reaction vans and 3 motorcycles.

The most recent electrical ambulances have a series of up to 200 miles, however paramedic crews in rural areas often take a trip even more in a shift.

Latest figures show the average action time in England for the most lethal ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds – compared with 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 actually been struggling to meet their action targets. With these challenges it is unreasonable to distract NHS workers from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the very first emergency ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the ‘unreasonable’ strategy to electrify all UK ambulances

‘Time, preparation and cost are entering into buying electric lorries and developing battery chargers – numerous of which will never be installed – rather of enhancing response times.

‘A lot more concerning is the obstacle of updating the grid in time to meet the additional demand.

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

England’s first electric ambulance began operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be used in urban locations such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‘Seventy per cent of our area is generally rural and this continues to be the greatest consider our transfer to electric – having the variety to run in areas where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’

East of England Ambulance Service has been trialling three electric ambulances considering that 2023, but has not used them to transfer passengers. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: ‘New electrical 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 enhance client care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.’

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