Written question asked by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 June 2008. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Monday, 14 July 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Ambulance Services: Vehicles

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department provides to ambulance authorities on procurement of vehicles; and what makes of ambulance are recommended for purchase by ambulance authorities.

Answer: There are two types of ambulance procured by ambulance trusts: patient transport service ambulances and accident and emergency (A and E) ambulances.Both types of vehicles can be procured either by outright purchase or by leasing, depending on the individual trusts preference.For the outright purchase of either type the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) has two national frameworks in place. These contracts provide ambulances which comply with the standard adopted by the British Standards Institute for those vehicles which carry a stretcher.The specification for A and E ambulances for the new framework was decided by the National Strategic Ambulance Group. The new national specification for front line accident and emergency ambulances is box body only and because of the equipment it carries Mercedes, Iveco and Volkswagon are specified as suitable providers.These frameworks are not mandatory and trusts can tender on their own behalf for both patient transport service and A and E ambulances. However, trusts may make use of NHS PASA advice and assistance.

Secondary information