SATELLITE navigation systems are going to cost £153,000 to install in all ambulances operating in East Anglia.Board members of the East Anglian Ambulance Service are to be asked to spend the £153,000 on equipping every accident and emergency ambulance vehicle within the coming financial year.

By Tracey Sparling

SATELLITE navigation systems are going to cost £153,000 to install in all ambulances operating in East Anglia.

Board members of the East Anglian Ambulance Service are to be asked to spend the £153,000 on equipping every accident and emergency ambulance vehicle within the coming financial year.

Most of this money – £115,000 – has come from the Department of Health to be used for this specific purpose, with the remaining £38,000 being taken from the trust's own funds.

The board meets tomorrow in Cambridge, and will take its decision on whether to install satellite navigation systems at that meeting.

The new technology was featured in the Evening Star in October.

In her report to board members, Anna Bennett, director of business and finance for the trust, said: "The trust has trialled a number of products from different manufacturers and has obtained operational feedback including user preferences.

"A preferred product has been identified on the basis of ease of use, prompt re-routing and clear voice instructions.

"Consideration has been given to fitting part of the fleet with a fully functional integrated solution, but this was rejected as a short-term option as the interfaces will take time to develop and test.

"The conclusion therefore is that to gain the greatest immediate benefit… the trust board are requested to approve capital expenditure of £153,000 to install satellite navigation aids in all A&E ambulance vehicles."