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Premises
Several building improvement schemes scheduled to commence during 1956 were
postponed because of financial restrictions imposed by the Government early in the year.
Administrative and Operational Headquarters—The merging of the administrative and
operational headquarters under one roof at 150 Waterloo Road, S.E.I, referred to in
the 1955 report, was completed and the building was formally opened by Mr. I. J.
Hayward, ll.d., j.p., the Leader of the London County Council, on 20th January, 1956.
Upper Richmond Road Accident Ambulance Station—This new accident station, the third
to be built since the war, came into operation at 9 p.m. on 5th May and, within six
minutes, an ambulance from it had answered the first emergency call. The station was
formally opened by the Chairman of the Health Committee on 26th June. It is well
sited to serve the large area it must cover and provides accommodation for three
ambulances, one of which is in commission for 24 hours every day while each of the
other two operates for 16 hours each week-day.
Battersea Accident Ambulance Station—This station was destroyed by enemy action in
September, 1940, and had since been housed in a temporary structure erected on the
site. It was closed down simultaneously with the opening of the Upper Richmond Road
Station but will be re-built as soon as circumstances permit.
Dalston Accident Ambulance Station—Work on the scheme for the enlargement and
improvement of this station was commenced on 27th December.
Vehicles

Replacement
programme
In formulating the current vehicle replacement programme, the growing demand
from hospital out-patient departments, with the consequent need for a higher proportion
of sitting-case vehicles, was taken into account. To meet this need and to secure more
economical running and maintenance, the number of large ambulances at present in use
will be reduced as they wear out and will be replaced by the new and more economical
type of ambulance referred to below or by smaller dual-purpose vehicles. Most of the
motor cars, also, which are less economical from the point of view of accommodation,
will be replaced by more suitable vehicles.
During the year, a prototype ambulance was designed and produced in the
Mechanical Works Division of the Supplies Department to the special requirements of
the service and this prototype, whilst preserving the same low loading level and
accommodation for patients comparable with that of the existing large ambulance, is
smaller in over-all dimensions, lighter in weight and more economical in operation.
The basic chassis used will be available with either petrol or diesel engine and the body
is made of glass-reinforced polyester resin. Trials were proceeding at the end of the year.
Ministry of
Health
Survey
The Ministry of Health survey of the Service demonstrated that the Council's
ambulance service was well organised and efficiently operated and that the total annual
cost was not unreasonable having regard to the exceptionally large volume of work
undertaken. The Minister noted the good relations which existed with hospital
authorities and with neighbouring ambulance authorities to ensure the most economical
use of available ambulance capacity. The very full use made of the Hospital Car Service
was acknowledged but the suggestion was made that further economy in vehicles and
staff could be achieved by channelling Hospital Car Service calls through the Council's
system of control. Plans for bringing such a scheme into effect were under consideration
at the end of the year. Reference was also made to the desirability of increasing the
proportion of small one-stretcher dual-purpose vehicles and of reducing the number of
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