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49
AMBULANCE SERVICE
A.L. Hill, Esq.,
Chief Ambulance Officer.
During the year the service was called upon to deal with
125,331 patients which necessitated 53,325 journeys and a mileage
of 425, 955.
Compared with 1961 these figures show an increase of 5, 278
patients, 2,353 miles and 131 journeys.
There were 15,487 patients conveyed to places outside the
Borough, and on these journeys 125,876 miles were travelled.
The number of patients admitted to Hospitals and Nursing
Homes was 9,352 compared with 9,614 the previous year.
It should be noted that the London Road Day Centre classification
has been recorded this year but for 1961 it was included
with the Health Service Removals.
The volume of work has remained fairly constant apart from
an increase of Mental Health patients to the Occupation Centres.
The difficult periods were again experienced during the winter
lonths when weather conditions and sickness of staff occurred
when conveyance of patients was at its peak. Fog and snow towards
the end of the year delayed transport but all admissions
and accidents were dealt with. A total of 808 days sickness compared
with 914 during 1961 and 879 during 1960 were lost. Three
men resigned, two died suddenly and one was withdrawn from
driving because of illness and placed on the Clerical strength.
One extra man together with 6 replacements were employed and
trained.
In accordance with the instructions of the Health Committee,
children who were taken ill at School and did not require
immediate medical attention were taken home and on these
journeys 41 children were conveyed.
Various demonstrations and discussions were held giving
First Aid Instruction including Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation by
Officers of the Service. My Second Officer and one Leading Driver
attended a Civil Defence Course held at Pal field, Gloucester.
The Chairman of the Health Committee presented Drivers of
the Service with Safety First Driving Awards for accident free
living, 55 Drivers qualified for such awards in 1961.
Work was started on the site at Headquarters Station where
the new Garage is to be erected but was delayed owing to weather
Conditions. A new Fire Alarm system was fitted in the existing
Garage which will raise an automatic alarm in the Watchroom in
the event of fire.
for details of journeys, patients, mileage etc. see the Appindix,
pages 117 - 119.