A NEW ambulance that will benefit patients with occupational therapy needs is coming to Warrington.

The Citroen Dispatch vehicle, which will cost £27,000 a year to run, is arriving at Warrington Hospital tomorrow, Friday.

It will be used to transport patients with specialist occupational therapy needs from hospital for home assessment prior to discharge, and will make up to four journeys every day.

The ambulance is fitted with an electronic tail lift that can accommodate wheelchair users and people with mobility problems.

The initiative has been put into action by Mersey Regional Ambulance NHS Trust and Warrington Hospital.

Joe Barrett, locality manager at Mersey Regional Ambulance Service, said: "This is a real example of joint working to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate levels of care according to their specific needs.

"By working together to design an ambulance that is well suited to the needs of patients, I am sure that this initiative will bring about significant benefits to many patients every year.

"We are already receiving enquiries from other areas to provide similar services, such has been the popularity of the recent trials we have held in Warrington. I am confident that this initiative will be a huge success for the hospital, the ambulance service and patients."

Ambulance care assistants will be operating the service, working with the occupational therapy team. They will accompany patients to their homes and assess their capabilities to cope unaided following conditions such as strokes and heart attacks.

Carol Hillam, manager of the hospital's outpatient department, said: "Previously, patients had to travel by taxi or private companies. This state-of-the-art ambulance will ensure that our patients arrive at their homes and return to the wards in the comfort and safety they deserve."