New EMAS ambulances to replace 30 older vehicles

East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) is to replace 30 of its older ambulances across the region.

The move is part of a £4.7m government investment in new ambulances in the East Midlands, with the vehicles expected to arrive by next March.

The government says it aims to replace almost 500 ageing ambulances across England as part of a £450m plan to reform the NHS and improve emergency care.

Its Urgent and Emergency Care Plan 2025/26 seeks to reduce pressure on emergency departments as demand for ambulance services nationally has increased.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "These 30 new ambulances will make a real difference to patients in the East Midlands, replacing old and tired vehicles and getting to patients in minutes, rather than hours.

"We can't fix more than a decade of underinvestment and neglect overnight. But through the measures, we will deliver faster and more convenient care for patients in emergencies."

EMAS currently has a fleet of 827 operational vehicles, including emergency ambulances, fast response cars, specialised and driver training vehicles, community first responder vehicles and urgent care and patient transport vehicles, according to its annual report.

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