Record 1,141 new and replacement ambulances delivered across England in single year

A record 1,141 new or replacement double-crewed ambulances were delivered to NHS ambulance trusts across England between April 2025 and March 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced.

The figure represents the highest number of replacement ambulances delivered in a single year since records began, funded through a combination of national investment and local funding. The majority of the vehicles replace older ambulances in the existing fleet, while the remainder provide additional capacity to services already under sustained pressure.

Health Minister Zubir Ahmed said the rollout was a crucial step in modernising the NHS fleet. "Replacing older vehicles with state-of-the-art ambulances means we are not only improving reliability and reducing downtime, but crucially helping more crews stay on the road and respond to emergencies," he said. "These vehicles are equipped with the technology to better protect staff and support faster, more effective treatment."

The new ambulances are fitted with modern technology and enhanced safety features designed to protect both patients and staff, while enabling paramedics to deliver higher-quality pre-hospital care. Modern vehicles are said to be more reliable and less prone to breakdowns, meaning fewer are taken off the road for repairs at any given time — a factor the government says will help cut 999 waiting times and improve patient outcomes.

Dr Fenella Wrigley, National Medical Adviser for Ambulance at NHS England, said reliable and well-equipped ambulances were essential for emergency teams. "Reliable, modern, well-equipped ambulances allow emergency teams to stay out on the road and do what they do best, responding to patients quickly and ensuring they get the care they need," she said.

Anna Parry, Managing Director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, described the achievement as "a genuine boost for patients and our people". She said: "For our crews, these vehicles make a tangible difference. The enhanced safety features and improved working environment support paramedics and other clinicians to deliver high-quality care under intense pressure, and they help our people feel safer and better supported on shift."

The ambulance rollout forms part of a wider programme to improve urgent and emergency care services, which includes improving patient flow through hospitals, reducing delays to discharge through better coordination with social care, and giving more authority to local leaders.

Winter performance improvements

The government noted that during the most recent winter period, the NHS saw significant improvements in performance despite record demand. Category 2 response times — which cover conditions including strokes and heart attacks — were the fastest they have been in half a decade. Accident and emergency waiting times have also fallen to their lowest level in nearly five years, which the government attributed to the efforts of NHS staff, improved planning, and modernisation.