In addition, a further 60 non-emergency vehicles and 26 Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV) are planned over the same period.
Public Safety Minister, Michael McGimpsey said that the new vehicles will be used to replace older ambulances and, thanks to a multi-million investment over the next ten years, will allow the ambulance service to move to a running replacement programme which will, in time, ensure no vehicle will be more than five years old.
Speaking on a visit to the Bridge Ambulance Station in Ballymacarett, Michael McGimpsey said: “A world-class health service needs a modern and responsive emergency service. For too many years, the NIAS has suffered from a lack of investment but now will benefit from a major funding boost. I plan to invest a further £2.5million over the next three years which is in addition to the £14.5million already allocated to fleet and equipment replacement as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
“I also plan to invest some £100million over the next ten years in fleet, estate and vital equipment such as defibrillators. This funding is as a result of the review of capital priorities which I commissioned to help inform me on the longer term investment required in the health and social care and public safety infrastructure.
He continued: “I am aware of recent concerns over the age and condition of the NIAS fleet. This is without doubt the largest investment in the history of the NIAS. It will help ensure that the public has confidence in the emergency services and, in particular, that ambulance crews are able to carry out their life-saving working in vehicles which are roadworthy, reliable and modern.”
A further £12million revenue funding will be allocated over the next three years to help the NIAS modernise, to respond more quickly to emergency calls and help provide life saving services to patients who need it.
He said: “Just as every other health trust, the NIAS has to achieve 3% efficiency savings over the next three years. I want to ensure that the savings they make translate into a modern and responsive service.
“This is a hugely significant investment for Ambulance Service. It is only right that we provide both front line staff and management with the necessary infrastructure to enable them to continue to deliver a quality, efficient and effective ambulance service to everyone in Northern Ireland.”
Welcoming the investment NIAS Chief Executive Liam McIvor, Chief Executive said: “I am delighted at the long term funding commitment the Minister has announced today for the regular replacement of the ambulance fleet, improving the ambulance estate and ensuring that as a service we have the necessary life saving equipment and technology. This will allow us to plan our service delivery more effectively on a firm basis over the next ten years."
The Department is currently considering the NIAS strategic business case and work is in hand to expedite this process to ensure that expenditure can begin as soon as possible.
Notes to Editors:
1. Over the ten year period 2008/09–2017/18 the Department has been allocated a total capital envelope of almost £3.3billion, against a bid of £5.8billion. Just over £700million of this is earmarked for the Comprehensive Spending Review period with the balance of just over £2.5billion allocated in the remaining period of the Investment Strategy.
2. All capital expenditure is subject to the normal business case approval process.
3. NIAS has submitted plans to the Department for consideration which propose a new high performance ambulance service. To achieve this NIAS have identified the need to:
- create a more effective ambulance estate to support the delivery of a high quality ambulance service.The model proposes a mix of Depots, Sub-Stations and Outposts.
- have in place a funded fleet replacement programme that ensures regular replacement of ageing fleet, to achieve an ambulance fleet no more than five years old.
- have up to date medical equipment available in A&E ambulances and rapid response vehicles, to enable staff to provide the best treatment possible to those in need as quickly as possible.
- have effective ICT to underpin improvements elsewhere in the service and provide management with the necessary information to further improve performance.
4. Media queries to Clare Baxter, DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0636 or mobile 07919 400248 or Jenny Magill on 07833 668748. Out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
