Ambulance trust receives cash for 23 more vehicles

An ambulance trust that serves millions of people across several counties is to get an extra 23 vehicles.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) confirmed it was receiving the funding for the new ambulances after an announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

More than 500 ambulances costing more than £75m are being distributed across England, the department said.

WMAS chief executive Anthony Marsh said: "This investment means more ambulances on the road, more capacity for our crews and faster help for patients when they need us most."

He added: "Every vehicle plays a part in saving lives, and increasing our fleet strengthens our ability to respond to emergencies across the West Midlands.

"We're also proud to continue investing in modern and electric vehicles, supporting both our staff and our commitment to a greener NHS."

WMAS said its fleet would include diesel and electric vehicles and the expansion formed part of a wider investment that will see 142 vehicles added to the fleet by the end of March 2026.

Of the 142, 87 had already been delivered and were supporting communities, the trust said.

As funding was announced for trusts across England, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said having a modern ambulance fleet was "absolutely essential for making sure we improve our urgent and emergency care services".

Streeting said the new ambulances were "not just new vehicles, but modern vehicles with the kind of technology and features that enables crews to work safely and efficiently".

He said this would give "greater comfort to patients who are often going through a very distressing experience they'll remember for the rest of their lives".

Alan Lofthouse, deputy head of health at the union Unison, said: "Updating the ambulance fleet is crucial.

"Staff need the best equipment to give patients the safe treatment they deserve."

Earlier, the government had said the West Midlands region was getting 69 new ambulances, but WMAS said that figure included previously allocated funding that included local and central government cash.

The BBC has approached the DHSC for clarification.

WMAS said it operated one of the UK's most modern ambulance fleets and had trialled electric ambulances in 2020.

The trust covers Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire, as well as Coventry, Birmingham and the Black Country, serving a population of about six million people.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.