[Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Somerset County Council.

  • Somerset (England). County Council.
Date:
1964
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1964] / Medical Officer of Health, Somerset County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    34/84 (page 30)
    AMBULANCE SERVICE GENERAL In 1962 it was reported that there had been a slight decrease in the total number of patients carried by the Ambulance Service, but that this decrease was probably only of a temporary nature. The figures for 1963 showed an increase over 1962 of 8.5% and in 1964 there was a further increase of approximately 5.8%. To state precisely how and where these changes occurred is difficult because of the varied nature of the work of the Service, but certainly part of the increase arises from the development of “day stay hospitals. In 1964 the total mileage increased by approximately 6.5% over 1963 and the average distance travelled per patient carried remains slightly under 7.5 miles. The agency arrangements with the St. John Ambulance Brigade terminated on 31st March, 1964. I am pleased to acknowledge the full and helpful co-operation of the Officers of the Brigade in ensuring that the changeover was smooth and that no diffi¬ culties arose. Where available, volunteers continue to assist the Ambulance Service and hire arrangements have been made with certain Divisions. Similar arrangements with the British Red Cross Society continue to operate satisfactorily. On the termination of the agency the single vehicle stations at Wellington and Wells ceased to operate as Ambulance Stations within the County Service and the sitting-case ambulances were transferred to Main Stations. The following table gives details of patients and mileage : — 1963 Patients Mileage Average Distance travelled per patient (miles) Ambulances Sitting-case Ambulances 0 ar s ... ... ... 70,302 106,976 20,946 575,430 778,644 121,438 8.19 7.29 5.80 Totals — Service Vehicles 198,224 1,475,512 7.44 Hospital Car Service 1,865 8,087 4.34 Private Hire. 19 267 14.16 --- All vehicles. 200,108 1,483,866 7.42 1964 Ambulances ... 75,966 628,905 8.28 Sitting-case Ambulances 113,247 813,946 7.18 O^rs ••• ••• • •• 20,678 132,363 6.40 Totals — Service Vehicles 209,891 1,575,214 7.50 Hospital Car Service 1,584 5,204 3.28 Private Hire (Ambulances and Cars) 266 6,178 23.10 1 - All vehicles. 211,741 1,586,596 7.49