Emergency doctors in the region have a new fleet of four-wheel-drive vehicles which will help them get to its more remote areas.

Armstrong Massey Land Rover at Bilbrough, York, has joined forces with North Yorkshire Emergency Doctors (NYED), to provide a new fleet of seven Land Rover Freelanders for their GP out-of-hours service.

The NYED service provides care and advice for patients with medical problems that will not wait until doctors' surgeries next open.

The Land Rover Freelander Td4s were chosen for the fleet because of their versatility and off-road capabilities.

NYED logistics manager Chic McCue, said: "Freelanders offer greater flexibility and reliability, which means the drivers are able to overcome any potential problems, such as the recent floods.

"Our service covers some of the most rural parts in the country, so it's vital people can be reached, whatever the weather."

Some of the new vehicles will be operating in the Malton, Selby and Ripon areas.

Although the Freelanders are not emergency vehicles, they are well kitted out with medical supplies and equipment, including defibrillators.

There is also a mobile phone on board, as well as a computer and printer, which means the emergency doctor can obtain patients' medical records and keep in touch with the NYED call centre.

Nearly 800,000 patients in Yorkshire are covered by the service, which is based in York, while 150,000 calls for advice and treatment are made each year.

Mark Cockerton, NYED general manager, explains, "Many calls are dealt with by the doctors advising the patient over the telephone. Other calls invite patients into the primary care centre, unless the doctor decides to visit the patient at home due to their medical condition."

The cars are driven by driver- operators, leaving the emergency doctor free to respond to calls. The driver-operators are trained in resuscitation and are able to assist the doctor if called upon.

Updated: 11:28 Monday, June 11, 2001