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

Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' Net Zero plan to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.

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

Health chiefs have actually refused 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 infrastructure needed for charging points.

The MoS can also reveal there are currently just two electric-powered ambulances getting travelers in England - compared with more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency cars for paramedics, including two automobiles, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.

The current electrical ambulances have a series of as much as 200 miles, but paramedic teams in rural areas often travel even more in a shift.

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

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

West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the very first totally electrical emergency ambulance 2020

Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' plan to amaze all UK ambulances

'Time, preparation and expenditure are going into purchasing electrical cars and building chargers - a number of which will never ever be set up - rather of improving action times.

'Much more worrying is the obstacle of upgrading the grid in time to satisfy the additional need.

'This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of innovation with shocking outcomes for clients and taxpayers.'

England's very first electrical ambulance began running in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be delivered this year to be utilized in city locations such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy percent of our area is mainly rural and this continues to be the greatest aspect in our relocate to electric - having the variety to operate in locations where cars can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been three electrical ambulances considering that 2023, however has actually not used them to transport guests. Another 8 will be provided 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 said: 'It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they enhance patient care and save the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not affect action times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.'

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