§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps her Department has taken to improve the ambulance fleet in Northern Ireland; and when the decisions on these steps were taken. [50327]
§ Mr. WorthingtonDue to historical under-investment, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service inherited an aging fleet on its creation as an HSS Trust in 1995. In recognition of the particular problems faced by the ambulance service; the Trust was given approval on 3 September 1997 to draw on £200,000 of its 1998–99 capital allocation to address pressures on the ambulance fleet. Capital provision of £1.5 million was announced on 9 February 1998 for the urgent replacement of accident and emergency vehicles. This was in addition to the general capital provision of £500,000 approved for the 1998–99 year. As a result of this additional funding, significant improvements in the standard of ambulance services and patient care throughout the Province will be achieved. The position will be further enhanced by the PFI exercise being undertaken by the Trust to support the replacement of the remaining out of standard ambulances. This will mean the Trust moving from one of the oldest to one of the most modern emergency fleets in the UK.
In recognition of the changing profile of ambulance services throughout Northern Ireland, a wide ranging review of the service will shortly be undertaken.