BOLTON'S paramedics are set to receive one new ambulance and two rapid response cars – after bosses admitted "unprecedented demand" meant they let patients down.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is to purchase more than 60 new ambulances, rapid response cars and emergency vehicles for community-based paramedics.

These include an ambulance stationed in Atherton and two rapid response cars based at Highfield and Blackrod – which should all be in place by the end of the year.

NWAS is also extending the operating hours of some of its existing vehicles and plans to recruit more than 400 new frontline staff including more than 40 to work in the trust’s call centres.

Trust bosses said last year was the most challenging in NWAS’ history, with an unprecedented eight per cent rise in 999 calls overall and an 11 per cent rise in the most serious and life-threatening ‘red’ calls.

NWAS has admitted the rise was substantially above what chiefs had planned for, and meant some patients were left waiting longer than they should have been for an ambulance.

Derek Cartwright, director of operations, said: “Based on these figures and planned trajectories for the coming months, very open and constructive talks were held with commissioners who fully understood the challenge we faced.

“Since our establishment as a trust in 2006, we have seen a growth of about two per cent each year and there is no reason to believe that will change.”

“Significant work” between CCGs – the ambulance commissioners – and NWAS has allowed for the approval of funding for the expansion.

NWAS said the new ambulances had been positioned in areas where demand required. The extra frontline staff will deployed in the same way.

Mr Cartwright added: “New ambulances and staff do not just appear overnight so it is hugely important for us to plan ahead and ensure we have the appropriate number ready.”

Last year NWAS employed an extra 156 urgent care and emergency medical technicians, 146 paramedics and 114 control centre staff.

Last month whistleblowers told the Bolton News seven paramedics from Bolton and four from Wigan were set to leave frontline service in the next month – many joining the NHS 111 call centre – due to stress, pay and poor working conditions.

In April, a former Bolton paramedic told the Bolton News that morale at NWAS was so low, six paramedics had left jobs in Bolton in six months.

Mr Cartwright added: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to say that, despite the financial challenges faced by NHS trusts today, we are swelling our ranks rather than reducing them.”