NORTH KENT: Ambulance fuel cost £4.2m last year (From News Shopper)

NORTH KENT: Ambulance fuel cost £4.2m last year

8:00am Saturday 30th May 2009

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AN INCREASE in fuel prices meant an ambulance trust had to spend more than it had budgeted for.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust spent £4.2m on petrol, diesel and biofuels in 2008/09, which was about £700,000 over its £3.5m budget.

The total number of vehicles covered by the fuel budget is 686, of which 11 are based in Dartford and Gravesham.

Figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act show this year’s budget to be £3.2m, with £186,934 spent so far in 2009/10.

A trust spokesman said: “In the financial year 2008/09, the trust spent more money on fuel than anticipated due to an increase in fuel prices.

“During the same period there was also an increased demand on our services which led to higher than expected mileage travelled by operational staff.

“The overspend on fuel was met by efficiency savings in other areas of the trust, and therefore there was no need for any additional money to be raised.”

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