Following a recent government report that recommended NHS Health Trusts change their emergency vehicles more frequently, Fiat is being particularly bullish about the future. However, it is one supported by many years of frontline activity that has changed the face of this class of vehicle.
The Lord Carter NHS report states that trusts should look to upgrade their ambulances every seven years and advises the authorities to consider the panel van design of ambulance over the traditional modular box style, despite the recognisable appeal in other markets of the purpose-built emergency vehicle. The report also recommends that trusts equip newer ambulances to treat more patients at the scene, rather than taking every patient to hospital.
Running the lighter panel van ambulance could save the NHS up to £56million on conversion costs over a five-year period and up to £5million a year in fuel, according to Lord Carter’s review into unwarranted variation in the delivery of ambulance services. In addition, the total cost of ownership of a panel van ambulance is around 15% cheaper over a comparable five to seven-year period than a modular box type.
Fiat Professional, the leading supplier of panel van ambulances in the UK’s ‘999’ fleet market, welcomes the report for obvious reasons. The majority of Fiat Professional ambulances are van-based and they cost Health Trusts markedly less money to convert, than the larger, modular box alternatives. Hundreds of ambulances operating in the UK are already Fiat Ducato-based.
Richard Chamberlain, Country Manager, Fiat Professional UK, said: “Couple the cost savings that this independent government-led report has found, with the tremendous aftersales offering that we have, for our ambulance customers, and it becomes clear why more and more Ambulance Trusts are choosing the tried and tested Fiat Ducato, in panel van form, over the costlier options. Naturally, I am delighted that we are able to make a positive impact in this way to the NHS with our life-saving and highly essential vehicles, and we look forward to working with the various Health Trusts in 2019 and beyond.”
