The Freight Transport Association’s Van Excellence scheme is to work in partnership with the Independent Ambulance Association (IAA).

Van Excellence, the national accreditation scheme for van operators is backed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and was launched in 2010.  The scheme is open to van operators of commercial vehicles of 3.5 te GVW or less.  Since its launch Van Excellence has accredited several van operators from a variety of healthcare organisations including South Central Ambulance Service, National Blood & Transplant, South Devon Healthcare and the United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust.

IAA member companies, which are all regulated by the Care Quality Commission, operate a combined fleet of more than 2,500 vehicles from more than 100 locations across the UK. They work 24/7 for the NHS providing patient transport services as well as A&E support during times of high peak such as winter flu epidemics and snow.

“We will be encouraging our members to undertake the Van Excellence programme because it represents a measurable and credible benchmark against which their transport operations can be independently measured” said David Davis, IAA director.

Van Excellence’s national accreditation scheme for van operators was introduced in order to promote high standards of van operation and driving by accrediting operators against a code of good practice, it has attracted the support of a variety of large commercial operators.

Mark Cartwright, FTA head of vans and commercial vehicles said: “Van Excellence is establishing itself as the operating standard for light fleet operators across all sectors. We’re delighted to be working with IAA in supporting their members in this demanding and vital sphere of operation.”