Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has announced that the Scottish Ambulance Service is to receive over £34m in funding over the next four years.
The cash will allow the service to replace 570 vehicles which will be made up of 326 new accident and emergency vehicles – comprising of traditional ambulances and paramedic response units – 98 patient transport vehicles and 151 support vehicles.
This also includes 65 paramedic response units – which are cars or motorbikes that are used to get a paramedic to a patient as quickly as possible, often backed up by a traditional ambulance.
Announcing the funding, Ms Sturgeon praised the dedication of Ambulance staff and said:
“Our hardworking Ambulance staff do a fantastic job and are out 365 days a year saving lives.
“They cannot do this without modern, up to date mix of vehicles that allow them to provide the very best patient care to the people of Scotland.”
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive, Scottish Ambulance Service, welcomed the announcement and added:
“Our crews deliver the highest standard of patient care in a wide range of conditions and environments so it is essential that they operate with the most appropriate equipment.
“The funding for our vehicle fleet ensures that care continues to be delivered in ambulances that are fit for purpose and specifically designed to meet modern healthcare standards.”
The Scottish Ambulance Service submitted their business case for the four year period up to 2015-16, the Scottish Government agreed to provide the funding in full.