Falmouth and Penryn Primary Care Network (PCN) has introduced a fleet of electric vehicles into its operations – said to mark a first for GP practices in the South West.

The four Škoda Citigo-e electric cars have been supplied by Lex Autolease and will be used during routine home appointment visits and prescription deliveries

The four Škoda Citigo-e cars have been supplied by Lex Autolease and will be operated by GPs and healthcare professionals during routine home appointment visits and prescription deliveries.

The PCN, which consists of Penryn Surgery, Trescobeas Surgery, Westover Surgery and Falmouth Health Centre, supports over 48,000 patients across the region.

Previously, practitioners used their own private diesel vehicles for business use and were reimbursed.

The new Škoda EVs are being managed by Penryn Surgery. Managing partner Ryan Ohly said: “This is a huge step forward for the surgeries across the PCN and our commitment to operating more sustainably. GPs and healthcare practitioners make relatively short journeys of up to 30 miles a day to visit our patients, so it appeared a no-brainer to explore switching to low-emission vehicles to streamline our operations and help to reduce our carbon footprint.

“The feedback we’ve received from colleagues has been incredible and I hope that our electrification journey can pave the way for more surgeries and primary care networks across the country to realise the potential that electric vehicles can bring.”