The new North West Ambulance Service has revealed that it can only afford to replace 35 of the 128 vehicles needed.  Board papers from the NWAS service, which was formed in July 2006 following the merger of four trusts - including the Greater Manchester Ambulance Trust, which covered Bolton – says it needs to replace 128 vehicles in 2007-08, more than a third of its 345-strong fleet. But due 'to the major capital and revenue impact' of replacing them even of the most urgent 50, only 35 new vehicles will be bought this year, it says.

Cllr Andy Morgan, Conservative Health Spokesman and Chairman of Bolton Council's Health Scrutiny Committee said: “When the local ambulance service was scrapped and the regional ambulance service was formed, the Department of Health promised an improved service and greater buying power.  Now, barely 12 months into the life of the new regional service we find that the ageing fleet cannot be replaced due to a lack of cash.  I’m concerned that, without the investment, response times won’t improve and lives will be put at risk.”

The new regional service is already struggling to maintain response times compared to the former trust.  Five years ago, 82.4% of calls in Greater Manchester received a response within eight minutes.  Now, that figure has declined to 72%.  The last thing we need now is ambulances breaking down and being unavailable in an emergency due to their age or serviceability – the older the ambulances become the greater the risk of break downs and increased servicing and repair costs.

The new service has had over a year to sort these problems out and I will be seeking an explanation why they now claim that they can only afford 35 of the 128 new ambulances required.  Our paramedics and ambulance crews need and deserve the most up to date and serviceable equipment to allow them to do their jobs, it is just not good enough” added Cllr Morgan.