Renault UK has delivered its latest batch of Renault Master ambulances during the COVID-19 pandemic to the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST).  

The 33 Renault Masters were in conversion at Wilker, which is one of nearly 40 approved converters that are included in the Renault Pro+ Tailor Made conversion programme, when the lockdown was announced.

Implementing safety measures in line with Government guidance, Wilker finished the Masters to WAST’s bespoke specification, which includes variants with double wheelchair access or stretcher bearing with four passenger seats.

Recognising that WAST’s need for its latest vehicles was greater than ever to enable it to complete the transport of non-emergency patients to essential medical appointments throughout the country, Renault Retail Group Cardiff adapted to accommodate the safe handover of the Trust’s latest Renaults.

A dedicated technician and service advisor were installed at the dealership for pre-delivery inspections and prepare the ambulances.

With registration completed by the DVLA, WAST was able to press the vehicles straight into service days after the Renault Masters arrived in Cardiff.

David Holmes, national fleet manager for the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said: “The sub 3.5-tonne GVW van market is a crowded one yet the Renault Master is still my preferred option as the overall package that Renault provides stands out from the competition.

“WLTP has created difficulties for the whole motor industry with many manufacturers’ products losing available payload however the Master is still the van that comes out on top for me, add to that the excellent after sales support I receive from all my dealerships in Wales means that I can deliver a robust and comprehensive service to the Welsh Ambulance service.”

WAST has utilised Renault vehicles for more than 20 years. In the past 16 months alone, it has taken delivery of 140 Renault Master ambulance conversions, all of which have been supplied through Renault Retail Group in Cardiff.

The Renault Master makes up the vast majority of the organisation’s Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) vehicles, accounting for more than 220 of the near 280-strong fleet.

Mark Dickens, fleet sales and remarketing director at Groupe Renault UK, said: “Our blue light customers are facing unprecedented demand for their services, while also having to adapt to immensely challenging working conditions, so it was important for WAST that it was still able to take delivery of its latest vehicles at a time when the majority of the country was effectively closed.

“The Trust completes over 1.5 million journeys each year for patients and we are very pleased that we could help it continue its invaluable work. We’re very proud of our relationship with WAST and the fact that it has found the Renault Master to be the perfect vehicle for its complex needs.”

The Renault Pro+ Tailor Made conversion facility offers access to nearly 40 converters, all of which are accredited by Groupe Renault UK, who can meet customers’ individual requirements with bespoke conversions.

In addition to its bespoke conversion programme, Renault also provides several factory-built ‘off-the-shelf’ conversions. Based on the New Renault Master chassis cab or platform cab, these include Tipper, Luton Box Van, Luton Low Loader and Dropside variants.