Wes Streeting Urged to Ditch Bid to Electrify all UK Ambulances
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' Net Zero plan to amaze all UK ambulances within 15 years.

The cash-strapped NHS is preparing to abandon all its diesel ambulances and set up almost 5,000 charging points at hospitals and ambulance stations to power a fleet of electric-powered lorries.

Health chiefs have refused to expose how much the new ambulances will cost, however official figures seen by the Mail on Sunday expose it will cost ₤ 100million simply to upgrade the grid and electrical infrastructure needed for points.

The MoS can likewise expose there are currently simply two electric-powered ambulances getting passengers in England - compared to more than 4,500 diesel ambulances.

There are 160 other electrical emergency situation cars for paramedics, consisting of 2 automobiles, 16 action vans and 3 motorbikes.

The newest electric ambulances have a series of approximately 200 miles, however paramedic teams in rural locations typically travel further in a shift.

Latest figures reveal the typical action time in England for the most dangerous 'category-one' ambulance calls is seven minutes and 52 seconds - compared to an NHS target of seven minutes.

Last night Nick Timothy MP, former chief of personnel to ex-prime minister Theresa May, said: 'Ambulance services have actually been having a hard time to fulfill their action targets. With these difficulties it is absurd to distract NHS workers from their jobs with unrealistic Net Zero targets.

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

Wes Streeting dealt with calls last night to ditch the 'absurd' strategy to amaze all UK ambulances

'Time, preparation and expense are going into buying electrical automobiles and developing chargers - much of which will never be set up - instead of improving action times.

'Much more worrying is the obstacle of upgrading the grid in time to meet the extra demand.

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

England's very first electrical ambulance started operating in the West Midlands in 2020. Another 8 will be provided this year to be utilized in urban areas such as Birmingham.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'Seventy per cent of our area is primarily rural and this continues to be the greatest element in our transfer to electrical - having the range to operate in locations where vehicles can do 200 miles-plus in a shift.'

East of England Ambulance Service has actually been trialling 3 electric ambulances because 2023, however has actually not utilized them to carry guests. Another eight will be provided to the service this year.

The Department of Health stated: 'New electric ambulances will save the NHS ₤ 59million a year to reinvest in frontline care.'

The NHS stated: 'It is right we seek sustainable alternatives when they improve client care and conserve the taxpayer cash. Electric ambulances will not impact response times, [and] are cutting emissions, maintenance and fuel costs.'

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