Extra emergency paramedic ambulances are being deployed in Norfolk to help boost emergency care for patients.
Staff and local managers are behind the moves to provide the extra cover and improve responses to patients in the county.
Dr Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) said: “Providing more ambulance cover in Norfolk is vital to improve our service to patients and I am delighted that we have been able to do this by working with our staff.
“Although I have only been with the Trust for a month I am clearly seeing the determination of staff to succeed and provide the type of service that we all want to see.”
In north Norfolk, a brand new additional ambulance will be in place 24/7 at Cromer bringing it up to three covering the area. An eight-hour ambulance every day will be added in Fakenham.
Fraer Stevenson, UNISON A19 campaign lead, said: “Frontline staff have been campaigning for more paramedic staff ambulance cover in Norfolk, as well as for national changes to ambulance targets.
“The heavy reliance on rapid response cars to meet targets has led to increasing backup delays for patients, particularly in rural areas. Last year, a group of paramedics from Norfolk took their concerns to Parliament, with the support of North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, who has been instrumental in our cause.
“The decision by Dr Marsh to increase the paramedic-staffed ambulance cover and decrease car reliance is very welcome. It’s encouraging that he sees the urgency needed to address these issues and is putting patients needs ahead of targets.”
In other parts of the county, Diss will go from two to three 24/7 ambulances. All of the new arrangements will come into place on at the beginning of March.
The additional ambulances come at a time when EEAST is actively recruiting 400 new student paramedics. The recruitment scheme was launched in January and has already seen more than 2,500 people apply. To find out more or apply, visit www.jobs.nhs.uk