THE FREE AMBULANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 244, 12 September 1935, Page 2

THE FREE AMBULANCE

SERVICE IN PALMERSTON NORTH, In conversation with an official of the Palmerston North Free Ambulance to-dav our representative gleaned much interesting and. enlightening information in regard to the aims and objects of this much discussed service. Our informant said that the Free Ambulance, far from being a private concern, was jrart of a Dominion-wide movement to bring about the nationalisation and standardisation of all the ambulance services in this Dominion. Were this object to be attained there would be a complete and efficient organisation ready at a moment’s notice to take up its duties in case of any calamity, epidemic or earthquake. “In practically all cities in the Dominion the ambulance services were being conducted as a separate and unattached department from the hospitals, and it is a matter for regret that the Palmerston North Hospital Board should be the last of the major boards to take up this specialised service.” Special reference was made by our informant to the fact that the Free Ambulance is not in any way opposed to, or in competition with the Hospital ambulance service. In fact, the two services had on occasions worked together, and the object of requesting a conference with the Hospital Board was to endeavour to come to some arrangement whereby the whole of the ambulance work could be brought into line with that functioning, with unqualified success, in other cities. Were the Free Ambulance to atain this object, our informant stated, the control of its service would pass into the hands of a board,' tho personnel of which would consist of a representative of all contributing bodies —the Hospital Board, City Council, county councils, etc., all having a direct voice in the management of the service.

Continuing, our informant said: “One only has to consider the wonderful support which the residents in the Wellington Hospital District have given to their District Free Ambulance to realise that there must be some distinct advantage in maintaining such a well organised and efficient service. It is a pity that the Palmerston North Hospital Board does not realise that the people in its district have shown, in no uncertain manner, that they also wish to reap the benefits of such a service as that obtaining in the 'Wellington district. The record of having attended. over 2000 cases and travelled over 50,000 miles without an accident or any delay, is surely sufficient proof, if such were required, that our local Free Ambulance is fully capable of carrying on the work in this district. “Immediately the Hospital Board enters into an agreement with the Free Ambulance,” the official stated, “the system of financing tlie service would be changed and the bouse to house collecting, which was inaugurated as a temporary measure only, would be discontinued, and replaced by a system similar to that which obtains in Wellington. However, the matter of grants or subsidies could very easily be arranged between the interested bodies. Our whole social system lias undergone some drastic changes and it is surely apparent that with the era of fast travelling and greater risks to both motorists and the public our ambulance service should be brought into line in the matter of first aid attention, the ability to render help with a minimum of delay and with dependable effifiiency. Such a service can bs obtained only by specialisation in its particular work, freedom from all unnecessary and sometimes fatal delay and the ability to attend any call at any hour.” Our informant also stressed the fact that the rules of the Free Ambulance laid down “that tho superintendent of the service must be the holder of a final certificate in first-aid and also certificates in sanitation and hygiene and home nursing,” and “that all attendants and stretcher bearers must be holders of at least an elementary certificate in first aid.” Finally, the sincere hope was expressed that the Hospital Board will seriously and favourably consider the whole position and give to the people of this district the opportunity to reap the many benefits of the service for which they are asking.