A hospital in Hull is ushering in a clean and green way to transport patients.

The facilities team at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham has just taken delivery of its first ever, all-electric, non-emergency ambulance.

The new ambulance has space for three seated patients plus a stretcher

Representing investment of over £86,000, the ambulance will be used to transport patients needing tests and scans, as well as those requiring admission to or transfer between wards, around the 168-acre (683,000 m²) site – equivalent to 106 football pitches.

The first fully electric patient transport ambulance to be used at a hospital across North Yorkshire and the Humber, it is also believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

David Wilkinson, Transport Manager for NHS Humber Health Partnership, says:

“We already have a fleet of electric vehicles which transports goods and samples between Castle Hill and Hull Royal Infirmary, but this is the first time we’ve invested in an electric vehicle for the movement of patients.

Porter, Tony Downs, will be among those driving the all-electric ambulance

“The ambulance is fully equipped with a load area which can accommodate both beds and wheelchairs, and can carry one stretcher and three seated patients at a time.

“As a fully electric vehicle, it’s cheaper, greener, and more efficient. The vehicle doesn’t create exhaust fumes, we don’t have to travel to refuel, we can charge on site for a fraction of the cost of diesel, and the ambulance is less likely to be off the road for maintenance as there are fewer moving parts to go wrong.”

David May, Deputy Head of Facilities (Logistics) for NHS Humber Health Partnership says:

“The footprint of the Castle Hill site is very spread out. For someone who is fit and well, it can take a good 15 minutes to walk the full length of the site, so just imagine how time consuming it can be for a porter to move a patient between departments on a trolley or in a wheelchair.

Porter, Tony Downs, and portering supervisor, Leanne Wilson, inside the new ambulance

“The new ambulance will not only free up porters’ time for other tasks, but it will hugely improve the patient experience, meaning they can arrive quickly and on time for any appointments or tests, and we can maintain their dignity by avoiding having to cross parts of the hospital site outdoors in bad weather.

“We have been committed to reducing our impact on the environment for some time now, and this is the latest in a number of steps taken on the Castle Hill site. The ambulance is a great complement to our existing fleet of electric vehicles and will make a huge, positive difference for both our patients and our staff.”

The ambulance will be driven by a member of the portering team, and seating is also available for a nurse or other clinical chaperone should a patient need someone to accompany them on their journey.