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<br>Health Secretary Wes Streeting faced calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' Net Zero plan to electrify all UK ambulances within 15 years.<br> |
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<br>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.<br> |
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<br>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.<br> |
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<br>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.<br> |
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<br>There are 160 other electrical emergency cars for paramedics, including two automobiles, 16 action vans and 3 motorcycles.<br> |
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<br>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.<br> |
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<br>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](https://twentyfiveseven.co.uk/) target of 7 minutes.<br> |
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<br>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.<br> |
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<br>West Midlands Ambulance service introduced the very first totally electrical emergency ambulance 2020<br> |
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<br>Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'unreasonable' plan to amaze all UK ambulances<br> |
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<br>'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.<br> |
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<br>'Much more worrying is the obstacle of upgrading the grid in time to satisfy the additional need.<br> |
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<br>'This is yet another case of climate policy racing ahead of innovation with shocking outcomes for clients and taxpayers.'<br> |
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<br>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.<br> |
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<br>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.'<br> |
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<br>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.<br> |
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<br>The Department of Health said: 'New electrical ambulances will save the [NHS](https://twentyfiveseven.co.uk/) ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'<br> |
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<br>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.'<br> |
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<br>Theresa MayWes StreetingNHS<br> |
