Independent ambulance and healthcare provider Falck has boosted its UK Patient Transport Service (PTS) function with the arrival of a fleet of 92 new MAN TGE ambulances.
The new vehicles will be operated by Falck Ambulance UK and based at its new Wembley operating base. In the UK within the non-emergency fleet Falck employ more than 400 staff and operate 426 specialist PTS vehicles. The fleet supports five NHS Trusts and several Clinical Commissioning Groups.
The TGE vans, all 3.140 medium wheelbase high roof models, were converted locally by specialist commercial vehicle bodybuilder, Cartwright Conversions of Belton, Lincolnshire. Featuring a moulded interior lining which is easy to wipe down and a new composite none-slip flooring, they offer a bright, comforting, practical and modern environment which offers a generous amount of space for patients, passengers, staff and capacity for storing equipment.
Cartwright Conversions also fitted NMI recessed floor tracking throughout the vehicles to ensure that stretchers, wheelchairs and additional seating can be adapted and neatly folded away to suit individual movements and easily adjusted to maximise patient safety and security. USB charging points are fitted throughout the vehicles.
To safeguard patient welfare Falck has designed the vehicles with additional heating and air conditioning, tinted windows, modesty screens and a flexible seating layout that enables a patient’s family members, or a carer to accompany them during their trip. Rear access ramps and additional side-loading doorsteps are fitted to all vehicles.
Simon Thwaites, head of fleet at Falck UK, said: “Our aim is to expand on our people-helping-people philosophy and to become a leading provider of independent ambulance and PTS vehicles in the UK.
“These new cutting edge MAN TGE-based ambulances, all equipped and built using the latest patient transport healthcare practices, will help us deliver not only a greater level of operational excellence, but a more efficient and modern level of service throughout the cycle of patient care.
“This new fleet is of major importance to Falck UK, it enables us to offer our customers the highest levels of treatment using the best equipment available. Our patient transport fleet, a heavily used service, provides a much-needed specialised solution to non-emergency ambulance requirements.”
Supplied by MAN Truck & Bus UK’s Direct Fleet Sales Van operation, Falck’s latest vehicles are powered by 2.0-litre turbo diesel 140hp Euro 6 MAN four-cylinder engines. In addition, all are rear wheel drive and have been fitted with the optional eight-speed automatic transmission, rather than the standard six-speed manual, to ensure a smoother ride.
All the MAN TGEs come with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) as standard. The EBA system issues a visual and audible warning if a driver doesn’t react to an approaching hazard and if necessary, activates the brakes. ABS and ESP are also standard as is Crosswind Assist and Multi-collision Brake, which when a collision is detected ensures the vehicle fully brakes to prevent further accidents. Falck has also fitted audible front and rear parking sensors.
Dan George, MAN TGE international and national key account manager, said: “We have formed a close working partnership with Falck in developing the specification for these new PTS vehicles and the feedback we have received so far has been extremely positive.”
Like all MAN vans, Falck’s, TGEs are backed by three-year, unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty. Vehicle maintenance is catered for by the MAN Commercial Vehicle dealer network.
