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10
The following is the report of the committee appointed by the
Asylums Board to enquire into the desirability of establishing ambulance
stations:—
"The committee beg to state that, from enquiries made as to the
ambulance system of the metropolis, and from facts which came to the
knowledge of the managers from time to time, it appeared that, with
few exceptions, the ambulance arrangements of the parishes and unions
were different, defective, and, in a few cases, most objectionable. Some of
the vehicles were entirely unsuited to the purpose, being old street cabs ;
many were so constructed as not to allow of the patient lying down ; some
districts used the same ambulance for both Fever and Small Pox, and cases
of both diseases had been found together in the same conveyance. In
nearly every case a nurse did not accompany the patient, and sometimes a
female was placed in the sole charge of the driver. Few vehicles were
supplied with hot-water bottles, stimulants, or a sufficiency of blankets.
Friends were allowed to travel with the patient, and to return home as they
thought best, many no doubt doing so by rail or omnibus. Some of the
drivers were not officers of the Guardians, being hired with the horses ;
they were, therefore, not under much contiol or supervision : they had no
special uniform, and doubtless wore the same clothes when not engaged in
the removal of cases. Ambulances were often found outside, and the
drivers and patients'friends inside, public houses; and not infrequently
drivers and friends were not in a sober state upon their arrival at the
hospital. The ambulances when not in use were not isolated, being sometimes
kept amongst a number of other vehicles in an ordinary mews. Many
cases were not removed so promptly as their needs required. Each parish
and union had to bear the whole expense of the removal of its cases.
" Since the Board have taken over the removal of the infectious sick from
a portion of the metropolis, an uniform system has been established.
Separate premises have been provided for the purposes of an ambulance
station, where the officers employed in the removal of cases are lodged.
The Board's ambulances are so constructed as to allow of the patient being
removed in a recumbent position ; they are well ventilated, lighted, and
capable of easy disinfection ; they are supplied with an air bed and pillow,
hot-water bottles, blankets, and stimulants, and are disinfected at the
hospital after each journey, by being thoroughly washed with carbolic soap
and water. An experienced nurse accompanies the ambulance, and when
the patient is very ill a male attendant is also sent. All the ambulance
officials are supplied with uniform, which they are not allowed to wear
when off duty. Friends are not allowed to accompany the patient : the
drivers are forbidden, on pain of dismissal, to stop at public houses, and the
police have instructions to report any breach of this regulation which may
come to their knowledge. The whole cost of the station is charged upon
the Metropolitan Common Poor Fund.
" To obtain the removal of a case, the relieving officer telegraphs the
particulars, if on week days, between eight a.m. and eight p.m., to the chief
office of the Board ; or if between eight p.m. and eight a.m. on week days
or on Sundays, to the station. Telephonic communication has been fixed
between the chief office and the station, and immediately a telegram is
received, instructions for the removal are sent to the station, and within afew
minutes afterwards a properly-equipped ambulance is on its way to the case.