Unison has warned that plans to cut East Midlands Ambulance Service's fast response vehicles from 28 to 14 could "put patients at risk," arguing FRVs provide rapid, lifesaving interventions. The trust says shifting resources will increase double‑crewed ambulance capacity and improve safety, launching a 45‑day rota review to inform decisions. Local data shows the Queen's Medical Centre lost more than 2,700 hours to ambulance delays in September, with 32% of handovers exceeding 45 minutes. Final changes are subject to consultation and further evidence.
Ambulance Row: Plan to Halve East Midlands Fast Response Fleet Sparks Safety Fears
Unison has warned that plans to cut East Midlands Ambulance Service's fast response vehicles from 28 to 14 could "put patients at risk," arguing FRVs provide rapid, lifesaving interventions. The trust says shifting resources will increase double‑crewed ambulance capacity and improve safety, launching a 45‑day rota review to inform decisions. Local data shows the Queen's Medical Centre lost more than 2,700 hours to ambulance delays in September, with 32% of handovers exceeding 45 minutes. Final changes are subject to consultation and further evidence.
12:46 AM, 11/14/2025Health
Union raises alarm as trust proposes halving fast response fleet
Proposals by East Midlands Ambulance Service to reduce its fast response vehicles (FRVs) from 28 to 14 have prompted strong criticism from the union Unison, which warned the move could "put patients at risk." The trust says the change would increase double‑crewed ambulance capacity and improve patient safety overall, and has opened a 45‑day rota review to inform any final decision.
What are FRVs and why they matter
FRVs are smaller, rapid response cars staffed by skilled paramedics and equipped with lifesaving kit to provide initial interventions before an ambulance arrives. The trust argues reallocating resources to double‑crewed ambulances will boost overall capacity on the road, while the union says reducing FRVs by half will slow response times and jeopardise patient care, especially when ambulances are held up at hospital handovers.
"While this sounds a good idea on paper, in reality it's not going to work," said Dave Limer, Unison ambulance lead for the East Midlands. "Cutting them by 50% is going to have an impact on patient safety."
Local pressure and timings
The trust points to current operational pressures: in September the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham recorded more than 2,700 hours lost to ambulance delays outside hospitals, with 32% of handovers taking longer than 45 minutes. According to published board papers, new rotas across A&E operations are planned to begin in April 2026, and managers say there are no plans to "reduce cover" while consultation continues.
Ben Holdaway, the trust's director of operations, said: "Our aim is to improve patient outcomes, service delivery, and staff wellbeing, including creating an increase in double‑crewed ambulance capacity. Consultation and dialogue continue, and feedback, along with wider evidence, will inform final decision‑making."
What's next
The 45‑day review will gather staff feedback and operational data before any changes are finalised. Stakeholders — including unions, paramedic teams and hospital partners — will be involved in the consultation to assess how best to balance rapid response capability with overall ambulance availability and staff wellbeing.
For further updates, the trust's board papers and consultation documents are available on the East Midlands Ambulance Service website.