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141
APPENDIX L.
To the Health Committee.
9th August, 1920.
MOTOR AMBULANCE SERVICE.—SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT.
I beg to report on the above for its sixth complete year ending March 31st, 1920.
The seven motor vehicles of the motor ambulance service were delivered in December, 1913,
and up to the end of March, 1920, had covered a total of 316.605 miles and were all in use.
During the year certain work occasioned by the war was continued, namely, Food Control
and the Conveyance of Wounded Soldiers to Hospitals. In addition many cases were removed
for other Authorities, notably Acton, Hendon and Wealdstone District Councils, Acton War Pensions
Committee and the Willesden Board of Guardians, while a number of miles were run for various
departments of the Council.
A day and night ambulance service is now available, but there is only one man on duty
from 5.30 p.m. to 6 a.m. and from 2 p.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. Monday. Double-handed calls
during these periods are met by calling out the resident drivers on overtime.
Calls for the ambulance are still increasing and at times several cases are waiting. In these
circumstances as far as can be ascertained the most serious are removed first.
Delays have taken place with Acton calls owing to the Willesden demand which is given
preference.
A certain number of accident calls have not been answered owing to car or driver being
engaged.
The following table shews the number of miles run under the various headings since the
inception of the service:—