The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is facing renewed scrutiny over its procurement processes after it emerged that dozens of newly purchased ambulances were delivered without passenger-side airbags, prompting warnings from a major health sector union that the oversight represents both a safety risk and a misuse of public funds.
The issue was raised by GMB Union, which said 28 new ambulances were discovered to be lacking the required passenger-side airbag protection. According to the union, 21 of those vehicles are currently operating on the frontline but are expected to be withdrawn from service while remedial action is taken.
Ambulances are subject to stringent safety standards given the high-risk nature of emergency response work, with crews routinely operating at speed and in challenging conditions. The absence of passenger-side airbags has raised concerns about the protection afforded to staff travelling in the front passenger seat, particularly during collisions.
GMB said it is now working with the Trust to implement changes that would allow the ambulances to remain in service where possible. However, the union indicated that some adjustments to vehicle capacity may be required as part of the remedial process, potentially affecting operational efficiency in the short term.
The latest issue follows an earlier procurement error that has already drawn criticism of the Trust’s purchasing controls. In May 2025, EEAST ordered 75 ambulances fitted with incorrect wheels, an error that reportedly cost around £133,500 to rectify. Taken together, the incidents have intensified pressure on the Trust to demonstrate stronger governance over fleet investment and procurement decisions.
EEAST is one of the largest ambulance trusts in England, covering a vast geographical area that includes Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Like many NHS organisations, it has faced sustained operational strain from rising demand, workforce shortages and ongoing challenges in meeting national response time targets.
Union representatives argue that repeated procurement errors risk undermining frontline services at a time when resources are already stretched. Donna Thomas, GMB Regional Organiser, said the latest discovery highlighted serious shortcomings in decision-making processes.
“This is yet another expensive and dangerous mistake from EEAST, which put ambulance staff safety at risk,” she said.
“We are calling for the Trust to take accountability for the repeated mistakes made when purchasing vehicles.
“It is important to remember this is public money and could be spent on more public-facing staff to cut the unacceptable response times in the East of England.
“GMB is pleased that the Trust is working with us to rectify the error and keep these ambulances in service, where possible.”
While the union welcomed the Trust’s engagement in addressing the issue, it stressed that cooperation should not detract from the need for accountability and systemic improvement. Safety experts note that procurement errors involving emergency vehicles can have far-reaching implications, from staff welfare to insurance liabilities and public confidence in emergency services.
From a business and governance perspective, the situation also raises questions about procurement oversight within NHS trusts, particularly when managing large-scale fleet investments. Ambulance purchases typically involve significant capital expenditure, detailed technical specifications and close coordination with manufacturers and converters. Failures at any stage of that process can result in costly retrofits, delays to deployment and, as in this case, safety concerns.
Healthcare analysts say repeated errors risk diverting scarce funds away from frontline care at a time when ambulance services across England are under intense pressure to improve response times and workforce retention. With public finances under strain and NHS productivity under close scrutiny, procurement efficiency has become an increasingly important aspect of operational performance.
EEAST has not publicly detailed how the missing airbags were not identified prior to the ambulances entering service, nor whether internal reviews of procurement and quality assurance processes are under way. However, the Trust’s willingness to work with staff representatives to modify the vehicles suggests an effort to minimise disruption while addressing safety requirements.
For unions and staff, the episode reinforces longstanding concerns about the cumulative impact of management decisions on frontline conditions. For policymakers and health system leaders, it serves as another reminder that governance failures, even when technical in nature, can quickly translate into operational and reputational risks for public service organisations.
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