South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Fleet Solutions

Case Studies
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Background

Since 2015, South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWAST) has provided its 6,000 staff access to NHS Fleet Solutions (NHS FS) car salary sacrifice schemes. In February 2024, SWAST called off NHS FS’s two salary sacrifice schemes via direct awards—Fleet through Lot 2, and Home Electronics Lot 1b—of HealthTrust Europe’s (HTE’s) Flexible Employee Benefits, Personal Vehicle Leasing & Financial Wellbeing 2022 Framework, for four years.

Enhancing Employee Wellbeing with HealthTrust Europe's Flexible Benefits Framework

Challenge

SWAST aimed to provide its employees with attractive and practical benefits while managing administrative burdens and ensuring environmental sustainability. The challenge was to transition the fleet to ultra-low emission vehicles and offer comprehensive benefits that would enhance employee satisfaction and wellbeing.

Solution

  • Guaranteed surplus retention for every car ordered.
  • A range of scheme features and protections which reduce risk and administration.
  • Continuity of support in key roles, with many of the supplier’s staff having over 10 years of NHS service.
  • Special Offer deals with particularly short delivery lead-times.
  • Option to add a home charging point to EV orders, saving in income tax and National Insurance.
  • £150 damage waiver at the end of the lease contract.
  • SWAST decided to pay the reserve mileage rate for using the salary sacrifice lease car for business use, helping cover employees for any excess mileage due at the end of the contract.

For the Home Electronics Scheme:

Staff using the scheme on average are ordering two products per order at a value of £650, providing convenient access to essential household items, the latest wearable and mobile technologies, and other innovative products used around the home.

The Result

  • As of March 2025, SWAST has 309 cars on the road with 33 more on order.
  • The fleet profile has increasingly transitioned to ultra-low emission vehicles, with 94% of orders now in this category.
  • Employees benefit from attractive offers, reduced tax and National Insurance, and additional protections such as the damage waiver.
  • The Home Electronics scheme has been well-received, with staff ordering valuable and innovative products.

The partnership between SWAST and NHS FS exemplifies the successful implementation of HTE’s Flexible Employee Benefits Framework. By offering a range of attractive benefits and support, both SWAST and NHS FS have enhanced employee satisfaction and wellbeing. This collaboration highlights the importance of innovative and flexible employee benefits in fostering a positive and productive work environment. HTE’s Framework continues to be a valuable resource for organisations seeking to provide their staff with comprehensive and practical benefits.