New emergency vehicles boost patient care in east of England
Military co-responders receive dedicated new fleet
Patients in the east of England can expect more responsive emergency care, thanks to new vehicles supporting volunteer military co-responder teams. Based at RAF Marham, RAF Wyton, and St George's Barracks, the vehicles were launched earlier this month to enhance emergency services across the region.
Military co-responders, members of the Armed Forces who volunteer alongside their military duties, are trained by the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) to respond to 999 calls and provide rapid medical support and early intervention.
Equipped with blue lights and life-saving equipment, these modern vehicles aim to improve the resilience of military co-responder teams and ensure they continue responding swiftly to emergencies.
The new fleet has been funded by EEAST, with the vehicle at St George's Barracks receiving additional funding from the East of England Ambulance Service Charity. EEAST will cover the ongoing costs for all the vehicles.
Last year, military co-responders across EEAST volunteered over 5,100 hours and assisted over 2,300 patients. They arrived first at 89% of emergency scenes attended, helping over 400 patients without needing to dispatch additional ambulances.
Tom Barker, Head of Co-Response at EEAST, expressed satisfaction with the new developments, saying: "These new vehicles are a fantastic addition to our service and a huge boost for our military co-responder teams. Their dedication and professionalism make a real difference to patients every day, and having a reliable, sustainable and fully equipped fleet means they can continue delivering the highest standard of care."
Currently, EEAST has military co-responder teams stationed at locations including RAF Henlow, RAF Honington, RAF Marham, RAF Wyton, and St George's Barracks.