The ambulance service is to get a cash boost of £6.5 million to help get paramedics on the road more quickly.

Health minister Matthew Hancock made the announcement on a visit to Medway Maritime Hospital, saying that it would help improve response rates.

Unions have questioned the investment, saying that it does not go far enough to make up for what it called “chronic underfunding” of the service in the last 10 years.

Mr Hancock said the South East Coast Ambulance Service would help quickly turn around ambulances so paramedics are more readily available to help patients.

Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary said: “The ‘make-ready hubs’ allow ambulance trusts to improve turnaround times for their ambulance fleets by using specialist staff and facilities to quickly restock, refuel and clean ambulances, getting them back on the road faster and maximising paramedic time with patients.”

VIDEO: Funding announced for SECAmb

Daren Mochrie, chief executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I welcome this announcement of significant investment, which will allow us to continue to develop our facilities to improve our services across the Medway, Worthing and Brighton areas.”

“The make ready system has been shown to deliver real benefits for our patients and staff and I am delighted that this funding allows us to continue to roll this out.”

Charles Harrity, a spokesman for the GMB union, said the service had seen funding cutbacks over the last 10 years.

“Is this extra funding new or is it coming from existing budgets? Our view is that extra investment is always welcome but has to be seen against the backdrop of funding cuts over 10 years.”

Mr Hancock also visited the Royal British Legion Industries headquarters in Aylesford to see the work of the charity’s on-site social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.

He met ex-service personnel and people with disabilities who work for the business, which makes road signs used across Britain.

Mr Hancock said: “I’m incredibly proud of our veterans and grateful for the service they’ve given for all of us.

"They deserve the very best physical and mental health services.

“This unique community offers fantastic support for our ex-service men and women, helping them not only manage their health conditions but overcome emotional and practical barriers to independence.”