Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances

Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘ridiculous’ Net Zero plan to amaze all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and install practically 5,000 charging points at medical facilities and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered cars.

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

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

There are 160 other electric emergency situation lorries for paramedics, including two cars, 16 response vans and three motorbikes.

The latest electric ambulances have a series of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic teams in backwoods often take a trip even more in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the average reaction time in England for the most dangerous ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds – compared with an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: ‘Ambulance services have been struggling to meet their response targets. With these difficulties it is unreasonable to distract NHS employees from their jobs with impractical Net Zero targets.

West Midlands Ambulance service launched the very first totally electric emergency situation ambulance 2020

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

‘Time, preparation and expense are entering into purchasing electric cars and building battery chargers – much of which will never ever be installed – instead of enhancing reaction times.

‘Even more concerning is the challenge of upgrading the grid in time to satisfy the additional demand.

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

England’s very first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be used in metropolitan locations such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: ‘Seventy per cent of our area is mainly rural and this continues to be the most significant factor in our relocate to electric – having the variety to run in areas where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electric ambulances given that 2023, however has actually not utilized them to transport travelers. Another 8 will be provided 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.’

The NHS stated: ‘It is right we seek sustainable options when they enhance client care and save the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not impact response times, [and] are cutting emissions, upkeep and fuel costs.’

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