East Midlands’ ambulance trust is set to spend more than £36 million on new ambulances to address its “ageing” fleet of vehicles.
The figure refers to the investment East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) will make in its vehicles as part of its three-year ‘Fleet Strategic Plan’.
This was discussed by EMAS board officials in a meeting on Tuesday (January 13).
The ambulance trust utilises a range of vehicles to provide its services, including the typical double-crewed ambulances, fast-response vehicles, urgent care transport, and support vehicles.
It is aiming for its collection of vehicles to maintain an average age of 3.5 years, with a maximum age of seven years, and will push this by spending £36.5 million on new vehicles in its three-year plan.
Board documents say the trust’s current fleet is “ageing and being subjected to increased arduous use” through increased mileage and idling outside hospitals, which leads to higher maintenance costs and environmental impacts.
EMAS currently has 389 double-crewed ambulances, with an average age of 4.83 years. Speaking in Tuesday’s meeting, Stuart Poynor, director of finance, said: “These vehicles are out 24/7 and running up hundreds of thousands of miles.”
He said the trust was in a “good position” in bringing down its fleet’s average age, with EMAS also being informed that national funding is available for double-crewed ambulances, which will help with the vehicles’ ages and increase the number the trust has.
Mr Poynor added: “An issue for me is one of organisational capacity and resilience.
“When you look at the benchmark numbers of vehicles we have available, we are at the very low end of ambulance services across the country.
“Our assets get worked more, more intensely, [taking] vehicles off the road. That impacts on our performance so one of the things is to try to increase the size of the fleet as well as reduce the age of the fleet.”
He informed board members there is currently a bid to get an extra 40 double-crewed ambulances added to its numbers.
Steven Dykes, clinical director, asked: “Do we need to ensure our staff’s requirements [in ambulances] are reflected here? We shouldn’t underestimate the impact it has on their wellbeing and welfare.”
Mr Poynor responded: “Our trust stands out actually in terms of engaging staff in design. When I first came here I thought an ambulance was an ambulance if I’m honest, a year ago.
“It was drilled into me that we had a consistency of design in which the equipment is stored in there, as a result of staff consultation and engagement.
“We have less complaints about the layout and the kit. Our set up is quite unique to us and that’s something the team are quite protective of.”
Across the three-year plan, EMAS will invest in a range of replacement vehicles. Each year, to “meet operational demands”, 65 new double-crewed ambulances will be bought to regenerate the fleet stock.
By the end of 2032, the average age of EMAS’s fleet would be about 3.11 years.
The £36.5 million plan will be funded through EMAS but also money provided by the government.
Report by Lauren Monaghan – Local Democracy Reporter
