Ambulance Service Timeline and Powerful Statements

Timeline
1897 - The Metropolitan Asylums Board start transferring patients to hospitals in
one of the first schemes of its kind.
1918 - War time ambulances released for civilian use and national ambulance
service planned.
1920 - Register of national ambulance station printed and circulated.
1925 - Public Health Act provides for transport of non-urgent cases and
ambulance services continue to spread.
1937 - 999 telephone number is introduced.
1939-1945 - War-time civil defence and rescue provision consolidates ambulance
services.
1946 - National Health Services Act requires local authorities to provide
ambulances 'where necessary'. Initially staffed by volunteers, professionals are
introduced gradually.
1964 - The Millar report recommends that the ambulance service should provide
treatment as well as carry people to hospital.
1974 - Ambulance services transferred from local authorities to NHS control and
performance standards set for ambulance trusts.
1970/80
-

Modernisation of communications, vehicles and telephone systems e.g.

introduction of helicopters and motorbikes to speed up response in difficult
conditions, computerised
Defibrillators become portable and are introduced onto all ambulances.
Staff with extended training re-qualify as Paramedics 1990s

1995/6 - Prioritisation of calls piloted.

1996 - Review of ambulances - focusing on performance standards. Sets out the
performance standards in use today.
2001 - Prioritisation of calls used by all trusts.
2003 - New Emergency Care Practitioner role piloted.

2006 Ambulance Services are restructured into regional ambulance services to

save money in the biggest shake up of services since ambulances were
transferred to NHS control.
(Liverpool Medical Institution,
2015)
Key Statements Emphasis was very much on the ferrying as they were not
expected to provide medical treatment for another 20 years (Triggle, N. 2007)