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71
Train
journeys
The number of "ambulance-train-ambulance" journeys arranged during 1951
was 3,998—more than double the previous record figure of 1,975 for 1950. The
arranging of journeys by these means adds greatly to the administrative work of the
Service but against this must be set the very considerable economies effected in vehicle
and man hours, to say nothing of the financial saving. I would again place on record
my deep appreciation of the co-operation of the Railway Executive staffs who are
invariably most helpful in making these arrangements and always most solicitous for
the comfort and well-being of sick persons travelling bv rail.
P.L.A.
Police
Ambulance
Service
During the year discussions were held and visits exchanged between officers of
the Council and representatives of the Port of London Authority Police Ambulance
Service to review and bring up to date the existing measures for co-operation between
the two services.
Festival of Britain
By arrangement with the British Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance
Brigade, direct telephone communication was established for the duration of the
Festival between London Ambulance Service Headquarters Control Room and FirstAid
Posts at the South Bank Exhibition and the Festival Gardens, Battersea Park.
During the Festival 724 emergency ambulance calls were received on these telephone
lines—416 to South Bank and 308 to Battersea Park.
Major Accidents
Of the many multiple calls answered by the Accident Section of the Service
during 1951, the most serious was to an outbreak of fire in a warehouse adjoining
Broad Street Railway Station on the night of 21st December, in which three firemen
lost their lives and a number of others, including the Deputy Chief Officer of the
London Fire Brigade, were seriously injured. Altogether 24 injured firemen were
taken to hospital and very many more were given first-aid treatment in the standingby
ambulances, after which they were able to resume their duties.
Among other major accidents were:—
July 11th—Derailment of train on "Peter Pan" railway at the festival Pleasure
Gardens, Battersea Park. Seven casualties—one fatal—taken to hospital.
August 26th—Bus and tram in collision outside Lambeth North Underground
Railway Station—nineteen casualties taken to hospital.
August 28th—Two buses in collision in Walworth Road. Thirty-one casualties
taken to hospital.
September 21st—Following the derailment of a train near Daventry, thirteen
injured persons were met at Euston Station and conveyed to hospital.
Recovery of Costs under the National Health Service (Amendment)
Act, 1949
During the year discussions took place with representatives of the Middlesex
and Surrey County Councils at which it was agreed, in principle, that claims as between
those two authorities and the Council under section 24 of the National Health Service
(Amendment) Act, 1949, should be settled by an annual lump sum payment. The
payment was to be based on the difference between the mileage travelled by ambulances
and sitting-case cars on work done for Middlesex and Surrey by London and vice
versa and calculated at the nationally agreed rate per mile for each type of vehicle.
Home Servic
Ambulance
Department
Agency Arrangements
Due, in the main, to the greater use made of the railways, the 1951 mileage
figures for the Home Service Ambulance Department of the Joint Committee of the
Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the British Red Cross Society, which mainly
undertakes long distance journeys, again show a reduction—nearly 18,000 miles less