East Midlands Ambulance Service is to receive £6.35 million for 40 additional double-crewed ambulances under a government funding package announced today.
The investment is intended to increase the service’s capacity to respond to 999 calls and help crews reach patients sooner, particularly during periods of high demand.
The allocation forms part of almost £140 million for 14 urgent care schemes across England, announced on Sunday 18 October as the NHS prepares for winter pressures.
The government says additional ambulances and frontline staff will strengthen the service’s ability to respond to emergencies. Its announcement does not specify how the vehicles will be distributed across the East Midlands or when they will enter service.
The national funding package also covers new urgent treatment centres, same-day emergency care facilities and improvements to hospital emergency departments.
In Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre has been allocated £12.9 million for a new Same Day Emergency Care facility. This will support patients who can safely be assessed and treated within a day, potentially avoiding an overnight hospital stay.
Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper said the NHS faced a challenging winter following a busy summer, with the additional investment intended to help staff provide care during the colder months.
The government says preparations have been under way since July, with seasonal illnesses such as flu and norovirus expected to add to demand.
Alongside the newly announced schemes, 25 new or expanded urgent care sites funded through an earlier announcement are being brought into use for the winter period.
