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67
SECTiON 27" AMBULANCE SERViCE
The new Ambulance Station in Wellington Road, mentioned in my Report
for 1952, was opened by the Worshipful the Mayor, Alderman L.A.V. Bennett,
J.P. on 19th December, 1953, the transfer of vehicles and staff having
taken place on the previous day.
The building was designed in the Architects' Section of the Borough
Engineer's Department, the main contractors being Messrs. Soar & Co. Ltd.,
and the following description of the Station was given in the programme of
the official opening.
"The new Ambulance Station comprises a garage, administration block
and facilities for the repair and washing down of vehicles.
The garage, which accommodates 14 vehicles arranged in tandem,is provided
with folding sliding doors to the main frontage on Wellington Road and
at the rear, allowing vehicles to enter by a side entrance and face the main
exit without reversing.
The main roof to the garage is of light-weight construction with a high
thermal insulation value and is supported on tubular steel trussed beams,
thus providing minimum but adequate air space and giving high efficiency to
the background heating in the garage.
Warmed air is introduced by means of overhead unit heaters which operate
by means of an electric fan driving air through a hot water coll.
Electric points are also fitted in the floor to provide facilities for
radiator heaters or other electrical equipment.
The adjoining administrative and staff quarters accommodate 30 personnel,
the ground floor comprising telephone and message room, superintendent's
office, stores and recreation room. On the first floor there are separate
rest rooms for both men and women, together with a kitchen and dining room.
Adequate sanitary accommodation is provided throughout the premises.
The building is heated by means of an accelerated low pressure system
with a separate domestic hot water supply, the whole of the installation
being situated in the basement where a small drying room is provided.
At the rear of the main building there is a service yard with covered
accommodation for wash-down for two vehicles, a repair bay with inspection
pit and stores. A cycle store is also provided."
When one looks back at the appalling conditions in the old Station
under which the ambulance crews worked, one marvels at the fortitude and
loyalty of these men and women truly dedicated to a service.
The Ambulance Service is a vital integer in the network of services
covered by the National Health Service Act. Without it the hospital services
could not function, and the working classes would lose a means of
transport for the sick which they have never been able to afford in the
past.
it is a paramount necessity therefore to preserve this essential
service at its highest pitch of efficiency, and the public and the hospitals
are asked to assist me in the attainment of this object by avoidance
of the use of ambulances of any kind when adequate alternative transport
is available. Abuse of the service may spell disaster to unfortunate
persons involved in serious accidents or overcome by acute illness.
Properly used the Ambulance Service is one of the greatest boons to
the community.