Problems with Derry's ageing ambulance fleet are set to continue despite a government pledge on new emergency vehicles, it's been warned.
John Kay, of the health service trade union Unison fears it could take three years for three new ambulances to be made available in the area.
Responding to the announcement by Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey that 60 new ambulances and 26 Rapid
Response Vehicles are to replace vehicles over five years old in the NI fleet over the next three years,
Mr. Kay said it was "too little, too late".
"There are 30 depots across Northern Ireland and everyone is in the same boat as we are with old vehicles - the newest ambulance in Derry is four years old while one is eleven years old despite a replacement policy period of five years.
"I understand it can take up to two years to get an ambulance once the order has been placed and as far as I know no order has been placed yet. We'll be lucky to get maybe two or three new ambulances over the next three years. In the meantime problems such as breakdowns will continue due to the aging fleet."
Welcoming the announcement by Mr.McGimpsey, SDLP Councillor Mark H Durkan said more needed to be done to ensure the continuous upkeep of the ambulance fleet. "This is great news but it needs to be sustainable investment to ensure the fleet falling into such a state of disrepair again."
The age of Derry's ambulance fleet hit the headlines after two breakdowns during emergency call outs in the city last month.
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