PATIENTS in Wales are to benefit from an £8.2 million investment into ambulance services in the country.

The Welsh Government has announced it will invest the cash to buy 90 new vehicles for the Welsh Ambulance Service, including 18 emergency ambulances and 67 non-emergency patient transport service vehicles.

The entire fleet of five vehicles owned by the services' Hazardous Area Response Team will also be replaced.

Announcing the investment, Wales' health secretary Vaughan Gething said: "The Welsh Ambulance Service continues to experience a growing demand for its services every year.

"The £8.2 million investment I’m announcing today will enable the Welsh Ambulance Service to continue upgrading its existing fleet, allowing the service to deliver the best care for people in Wales.

"This will ensure the ambulance service is able to deploy the most appropriate clinician in the most appropriate vehicle, ensuring people receive the quickest response possible."

The service's director of operations Richard Lee welcomed the news.

“In Wales we’re proud to have some of the most up-to-date and best equipped ambulances to benefit our patients and staff," he said.

“Whether we’re attending emergency calls, taking non-emergency patients to appointments or providing life-saving care at major incidents, it’s vital that we have a modern fleet capable of responding to everyone’s needs.

“We would like to thank the Welsh Government for its continued support as we aim to further improve the services and quality of care we provide for our patients.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service has more than 700 vehicles in its fleet.