The Minister for Health, Mr Michael McGimpsey, visited NIAS headquarters on Thursday to view a selection of the new vehicles which have arrived as a result of the investment he promised in the autumn of 2008. In total, 66 vehicles were ordered including 26 replacement Accident & Emergency frontline vehicles, 25 Patient Care Service (non-emergency) and 13 Rapid Response Vehicles. The remaining 2 vehicles are new additions to the fleet secured as a result of additional investment due to the reconfiguration of acute services in the Omagh area.

"Lack of investment"

Speaking at NIAS Headquarters in Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Public Safety Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "For too many years, the Ambulance Service has suffered from a lack of investment. This fleet of new A&E ambulances, rapid response vehicles and patient care service ambulances will enable ambulance crews to carry out their work in vehicles which are roadworthy, reliable and modern.

"As part of fleet replacement programme, NIAS will over the next 3 years secure more than 150 new vehicles which will be deployed throughout Northern Ireland. This is part of a £17million capital investment in vehicles and equipment."

The Minister praised Ambulance Service staff for reaching their response target over the past year. He said: "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 high quality, efficient and effective ambulance service to everyone in Northern Ireland."

"Increase reliability and patient confidence"

Mr Liam McIvor, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, spoke of his delight at seeing the delivery of the new vehicles. He said: "We have been highlighting for a number of years now the need for ongoing investment in the ageing ambulance fleet. The Minister has made the funding available and today we can see the real benefits of that investment. We now have a number of new vehicles across the range of our fleet, 26 replacement and 2 additional A&E vehicles, 25 Patient Care Service vehicles and 13 Rapid Response Vehicles.

"These vehicles will play a vital role as NIAS aims to continue to deliver the highest levels of pre-hospital care to the population of Northern Ireland. The ongoing modernisation of the ambulance service will be greatly enhanced with a fleet which itself is the most up to date thereby increasing reliability and patient confidence.

"NIAS has already commenced the process for securing another 24 A&E vehicles for the incoming year in line with the investment strategy put in place by the Minister."