A new Community Medical Unit, funded by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund, will provide a static ambulance facility in busy towns and city centres across the region.

The unit, staffed by an emergency care practitioner and an emergency care assistant, will be used on weekend nights and bank holidays as well at other large-scale events such as the start of the Tour de France race this July.

The vehicle will be equipped to the same level as an ambulance and will provide treatment for patients with minor injuries and illnesses. It is hoped that the unit will relieve pressure on busy emergency departments and free up ambulances for more seriously ill patients.

The unit is the second to be donated, after Leeds-based charity Barca donated a vehicle earlier this year. Last year a total of 765 patients were seen within the Leeds unit, relieving an estimated 351 ambulances.

Commenting, Erfana Mahmood, chair of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund Committee, said: “We are very excited about this new vehicle that can be used to support healthcare initiatives across different communities and make a real difference to people who need care and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses.”