Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘absurd’ Net Zero strategy to all UK ambulances within 15 years.
The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to desert all its diesel ambulances and install almost 5,000 charging points at health centers 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 main figures seen by the Mail on Sunday reveal it will cost ₤ 100million just to upgrade the grid and electrical facilities required for charging points.
The MoS can likewise reveal there are currently simply 2 electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England – compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.
There are 160 other electric emergency situation lorries for paramedics, including 2 cars and trucks, 16 response vans and three motorcycles.
The current electrical ambulances have a range of up to 200 miles, but paramedic crews in rural locations typically take a trip even more in a shift.
Latest figures reveal the typical reaction time in England for the most dangerous ‘category-one’ ambulance calls is 7 minutes and 52 seconds – compared to an NHS target of 7 minutes.
Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of staff to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: ‘Ambulance services have been struggling to fulfill their reaction targets. With these challenges it is unreasonable to distract NHS employees from their tasks with impractical Net Zero targets.
West Midlands Ambulance service launched the first fully electric emergency situation ambulance 2020
Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the ‘absurd’ strategy to amaze all UK ambulances
‘Time, preparation and cost are going into purchasing electric lorries and building battery chargers – a number of which will never ever be set up – rather of improving response times.
‘A lot more concerning is the difficulty of upgrading the grid in time to meet the additional need.
‘This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of innovation with stunning results for clients and taxpayers.’
England’s very first electric ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another eight will be delivered this year to be used in metropolitan areas such as Birmingham.
West Midlands Ambulance Service stated: ‘Seventy per cent of our area is mainly rural and this continues to be the most significant factor in our transfer to electrical – having the variety to operate in locations where automobiles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.’
East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling three electrical ambulances because 2023, however has not used them to transport travelers. Another 8 will be delivered to the service this year.
The Department of Health said: ‘New electrical ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.’
The NHS stated: ‘It is right we look for sustainable alternatives when they improve patient care and conserve the taxpayer money. Electric ambulances will not affect reaction times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel expenses.’
Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS