South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb)
is pleased to have completed an order for 42 new ambulances to
serve its region.
The vehicles, which will replace ageing ambulances across
Sussex, Surrey and Kent, are expected to hit the roads by the new
calendar year. They are then expected to be rolled out at a rate of
four vehicles each week.
The vehicles follow the design of the Trust’s other ambulances
being a box body on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
The purchase is a beneficial investment to the Trust as it is
estimated that on average for every year older an ambulance gets it
costs the Trust an additional eight pence per mile. SECAmb’s fleet
covers approximately 15 million miles each year so the new vehicles
will deliver significant savings.
The ambulances will be fitted with full telematics and speed
limiters, which operate when the vehicles are not responding on
blue lights and sirens.
SECAmb Head of Fleet and Logistics, John Griffiths said: “I’m
delighted we’ve been able to place this order which will bring
obvious benefits to the Trust and of course patients. The purchase
follows a review of our fleet and will see our oldest vehicles,
which have been in operation since our legacy Trust days, replaced
with brand new ambulances.
“I know the new vehicles will be very much welcomed by staff
across our region and they also represent a good investment for the
Trust. Our fleet department and mechanics do a fantastic job to
keep our vehicles on the road but it is vital that these vehicles
are replaced as they are operating beyond their economical
lifespan.”