A SOCIAL SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 11

A SOCIAL SERVICE

FBEE AMBULANCE

OPERATIONS REVIEWED

During (ho three and a half years tho Wellington Frco Ambulance has been in existence ii2,2,'!L cases have been attended t0—17,702 medical and surgical cases, 3940 accident cases, and 521 minor cases. Tho cars have travelled 229,275 miles. * These fads are- contained in the annual report of the Ambulance, to be submitted at tho annual meeting on Wednesday. The report slates that the figures are a record of usefulness and service hitherto unapproachod in ambulance work iv New Zealand, especially when it is considered that the service is free. "Tho service is by no means confined to public hospital work," states the report. "It is available for and is freely used for the transport of patients to private hospitals and nursing homes, from tho hospitals to tho trains and ferries, from one home to another, and, where- necessary, patients are- taken to hospital for X-ray and other treatment and conveyed back to their homes. The. prompt attendance and efficient firat-aid rendered at tho many accident cases to which the service is called has been tho means of placing our work prominently before the public, and the service- generally is greatly appreciated by the medical-profession and those who require its attention. Towards the end of the last financial year the work was extended to cover the transport of maternity cases, and we are pleased to know, that our efforts in this direction are appreciated by those concerned. "The sorvico was in a position to render considerable assistance at Napier during the .week following tho disastrous earthquake. Two cars were dispatched to Napier, and Superintendent Roffo was appointed. Transport .Officer. in. charge of all ambulances. Tho organisation in connection with the transport of patients from the earthquake area from Thorndon Railway Station to the various hospitals and homes was also carried out by officers of the service." The report gives the following figures showing the- number of cases attended during the past year in the various districts covered by the operations of tho service (tho figures in parentheses showing tho number for tho previous year): —Wellington and suburbs, 6472 (5G28); Ngahauranga, 41 (30); Petone, 314 (332); Koro Koro, 8 (14); Lower Hutt, 440 (359); Mailing's, 2 (1); Belmont, 27 (32); Haywards, 1 (4); Stokes Valley, 3 (5); Silvcrstrcam, 19 (11); Heretaunga, 7 (16); Trentham, 31 (41); Wallacoville, 32 (21); Upper Hutt, 73 (45); Moonshine Valley, 1 (1); Whiteman's Valley, 2 (2); Mungaroa, 2 (2); Karapotc, 2 (1); Tho Summit, 1 (1); Lowry Bay, 4- (4); York Bay, 8 (1); Mahcna Bay, 3 (0); Eastbourne, 44 (41); Waiiuii-o-Mata, 1 (1); Orongorongo, 1 (1); Makara, 3 (5); Newlauds, 3 (7): Ohariu Valley, 1 (1); Johnsonville 90 (70); Glcnaide, 19 (14); Tawa Flat, 11 (1C); to Porirua, 59 (51); from Porirua, 22 (44); Titahi Bay, 1 (0); Paromata, 7 (8); Pahautanui, 7 (7); Plimmertou, 10 (11); Pnkerua Bay, 1 (2); Packakariki, .23 (10); Paraparaumu, 18 (28),- Waikanae, 3 (5); Otaki, 10 (17). Two patients were- removed from Levin to Wellington,, one from' Shannon, one from Wangnnui, two from Fcatlicrston, one from Masterton, one from Wellington to Featherston, and. one to Mastertou. The report records that the -negotia- • lions pending between tho'Wellington City Council and the board have; thanks to the generosity of the council, been happily concluded, and the board expresses its appreciation to the assistance of tho Mayor and the members of the council in granting a long lease on favourable terms of tho site at present occupied by the service as temporary quarters. At the earliest possible 'moment a start will be made with tho erection of a suitable building. Thanks to the splendid result of the recent, art- union, Hie profit from which amounted to £14,242 2s bd, tho board anticipates being able- to erect, furnish, and open free of debt an ambulance station, complete in every detail, which will compare- more than favourably with similar buildings in other parts of the world.