THE North East Ambulance Service has extended its frontline capability with 44 new ambulances.

New response time targets for accident and emergency provision in the North-East prompted North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) to bolster its frontline fleet with 44 new Mercedes-Benz Sprinters.

The NEAS NHS Foundation Trust fleet now extends to 158 emergency ambulances after a recent audit recommended an increase in ambulance numbers to meet tougher new response time targets.

NEAS Fleet Operations Manager David Parkin confirmed: “The Sprinter was already the mainstay of our fleet, because it works very well for us. It’s tough and durable, so well able to stand up to the job – over a nine-year working life the Mercedes-Benz will be more cost-effective than other products which might be cheaper to buy, but won’t last the pace.”

The new Sprinters are classified as double-crewed ambulance vehicles. Changing requirements meant NEAS also took a fresh look at the design of its ambulance bodies and the equipment they carry.

In addition to two crew members, the WAS 500 box bodies carry up to four patients and medics, allowing family members, helicopter emergency medical staff or police officers to be transported safely.

The ambulance interiors are also specially designed to be more accessible to patients and family members with dementia, learning disabilities, dyslexia and Alzheimer’s disease. Onboard equipment includes defibrillators and spinal boards, while the ambulances are kitted out to serve as mini operating theatres so patients can be treated if necessary before they reach hospital.

“These vehicles are at the forefront of modern ambulance design and will help us offer the best possible emergency medical service,” Mr Parkin added.