Patients “risk being left stranded” when attempting to get to hospital as ambulance breakdowns in England have risen 36% in 5 years, in accordance with the Liberal Democrats.
The occasion’s well being spokesperson, Daisy Cooper, mentioned the figures had been “but extra proof that the Conservatives have left our NHS to crumble”.
The Lib Dems mentioned the figures had been obtained utilizing the Freedom of Info Act and present there have been 5,159 ambulance breakdowns in England in 2018, rising yearly to 7,060 in 2022 – which means final 12 months breakdowns occurred 19 occasions a day on common.
Requests for data on breakdowns had been despatched to 11 NHS trusts, the occasion mentioned, with six offering data.
Patients with life-threatening accidents risk being left stranded ready in ache for an ambulance
Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper
Of the ten trusts which supplied data on the age of ambulances, six confirmed they’ve automobiles over 12 years outdated, the Liberal Democrats mentioned, and in whole practically 250 ambulances at these trusts are over 10 years outdated.
London Ambulance Service NHS Belief was discovered to have an ambulance that was 14 years outdated, the Lib Dems mentioned, with that belief additionally accounting for 3,800 breakdowns in 2022. However the belief additionally had essentially the most ambulances of the trusts which supplied information.
Ms Cooper mentioned: “Patients with life-threatening accidents risk being left stranded ready in ache for an ambulance as a result of Conservatives’ mismanagement and neglect of our well being providers.
“To convey an finish to this embarrassment, the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Authorities to supply the funding that our emergency providers must hold ambulances on the street.”
A Division of Well being and Social Care spokesperson mentioned: “This information is deceptive and out-of-date. The most recent information exhibits improved ambulance response occasions, regardless of report A&E attendances and demand for July.
“We’re working to get 800 new ambulances on the street, create 5,000 additional hospital beds and scale up digital wards as half of our Pressing and Emergency Care plan to additional scale back ready occasions for patients.
“We now have opened 4 new ambulance hubs – with two others as a consequence of open this summer season which can assist enhance effectivity and get ambulances again on the street quicker, to allow them to attain the individuals who want them as shortly as potential.”
Rakesh Patel, the chief finance officer and lead for fleet at London Ambulance Service, mentioned: “We’re investing a report quantity in securing new trendy and greener automobiles over three years, with 128 new ambulances, 65 new hybrid response vehicles, 44 all electrical automobiles and three all electrical motorbikes rolling out throughout the capital.
“Because the busiest ambulance service within the nation that receives 4 million calls yearly, London Ambulance Service depends on a big fleet. Whereas this increased number of automobiles goes some technique to clarify why the service has reported proportionately increased numbers of car breakdowns (and why now we have devoted mechanics and workshops throughout London), we’re proud to be investing so considerably in our new fleet.”
