Incoming SWAS

Its been a while since I last covered any of the local Ambulance service fleet but the lighter evenings and the dry weather for a change mean its now possible to take pictures on my way home from work. Sitting outside Derriford Ambulance Station are two brand new Skoda Octavia Scout TDR 5-door estate cars for paramedics.

Sorry – no extra links yet – will try and catch up tomorrow!

Land Rover 999

Been a while since I covered any ambulances in Plymouth, but this one is really smart so here it is!

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Related Links

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Elsewhere on the net

• The news that, from the end of April, "Magicbus" is starting a service from Rotherham provokes fbb to have a look at that particular brand, which is, as we know, Stagecoach in a feeble disguise. Public Transport Experience
• It’s as well that bus operators don’t tend to get directly involved with siting bus stops and shelters any more. Pity the poor official from your local transport authorities who does. Omnibuses

Westcountry Ambulance 1998

Over the years I have been interested in the local ambulance fleet I have seen the fleet go from separate Devon and Cornwall fleets merging into the Westcountry Ambulance and then further merges with Somerset and Dorset resulting in the current South Western Ambulance Trust. It now seems that there is to be a further merger with the Great Western Ambulance Trust which covers Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Bristol. It even appears possible that they will take on the white elephant Fire Service Control Centre at Taunton which was so disastrously set up by the previous Labour government.
So lets have a look back to 1998 with some archive shots I have started scanning recently...

Oh dear

I am sorry for the lack of posting but my internet access is limited at the moment. The good news is that I now have a new laptop so once I can sort out the broadband connection / password issue sorted things should get back to normal!
In the meantime I can bring a quick shot of a brand new ambulance of South Western Ambulance sitting outside Derriford Station. I am not sure if the reg is clear in this shot taken on my mobile..

Non-999 ambulances may go private

 

Non-emergency ambulances in Cornwall and Devon may be operated by private companies in the future

BBC NEWS | England | Devon | Non-999 ambulances may go private

It seems that a decision will be made at the end of January that may see more private ambulances out on the roads of Plymouth to replace South Western AS on non emergency duties.
SWAST, which runs most of the non-emergency ambulances such as taking patients to hospital appointments, fears the 999 service will lose vital back-up in times of crisis.

The Head of Commissioning for NHS Cornwall gives assurances that operators will have to meet stringent standards - but that does not actually answer the question. Will these private contractors be expected to make their ambulances and staff available for emergencies if needed?  

Emergency Services at Crownhill

It seems that my computer problem might have been solved as I now have access to my blogs again through my preferred online editor, rather than just through the Flickr account.

Yesterday I spent an hour at Crownhill just watching the traffic go by, with my camera in hand of course. A couple MAN appliances from Devon and Somerset Fire Brigade and two ambulances from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust - or whatever they are called this week.

Citybus Ambulance

 

A partnership between South Western Ambulance Service Trust and Plymouth Citybus will provide patients in the Plymouth area with a higher level of service

Link

This is an excellent idea and one which benefits pretty much everybody. It gives the ambulance service a base nearer the city centre in a secure environment and that is a big plus these days when not even ambulances are safe from vandalism.  The Ambulance service join several other concerns who make use of the facilities available at Milehouse.

South Western Ambulance.

WX06UVA South Western Ambulance., originally uploaded by didbygraham.

I have been after a decent photograph of the new Mercedes ambulances that the newly formed South Western Ambulance Service is putting on the road for ages ever since I managed a side view back in June.

a better view of the rear end

Plymouth Central Ambulance

One of several private ambulance companies which operate in Plymouth. This smart Mercedes is seen parked in Keswick Crescent, Estover. The paramedic lives locally and occasionally has her vehicle with her, more often than not its a Range Rover based ambulance.

St Johns Ambulance

The days when St Johns relied on second hand ambulances acquired from the main NHS fleets are long gone. Their fleet is now highly standardised on these smart Renault ambulances.

HX04NNU sits outside Derriford Hospital this lunchtime.

New ambulance

I have been trying to get this one on camera for a few days since it appeared parked at the Derriford Ambulance Station just recently. Bit of a change for WAS as its based on Mercedes Sprinter chassis unlike the more recent mainly Renault based purchases, although Mercedes have featured in the fleet since the mid 1980's.

St Johns Ambulance and the 52

Despite the freezing cold I ventured out at lunchtime today and took a few photos. One of the few worth posting is this Renault ambulance of St Johns. The days when they ran a fleet of ancient 'hand-me-downs from the main ambulance fleets have long gone and they now run a highly standardised fleet of new ambulances. Click here for a web page on St Johns ambulance number GA109 which is identical to this one - and even features a cut out card board model you can make! There is also the London St John fleet which features its own Crusaders and a larger specialised unit based on a Dennis Dart bus. well worth a visit. A worthy organisation to support.

Staying with hospital transport (well sort of)


This is Plymouth: 12:00 - 04 January 2006
A new bus service between Saltash and Derriford has been launched by Plymouth Citybus after a rival company axed the route. The first number 152 buses started running yesterday, along exactly the same route and with the same timetable as the old 52 service ended by First at the end of October.Buses link Saltash with Derriford Hospital by way of the Tamar Bridge, Pemros Road, St Budeaux Square, Victoria Road, Crownhill Road and Tavistock Road.First has cut several of its services to Derriford Hospital because it said not enough people were using the routes.Citybus operations director Phil Smith said the service would run until at least May, when it would be reviewed.He added: "We will be doing everything that we can to regain the old customers and will hopefully gain some new ones."Citybus is not taking over the 52A Saltash to Notre Dame School service.

It must be said that this is welcomed by most passengers I know that use the service. Those of us that use the Plympton end on the 52 that Citybus took over last year have a much better service than was ever provided by First.
didbygraham

Location Medical Services

Back on Monday evening we went for a walk around Plymouth Barbican as it was a lovely sunny evening and we fancied eating out. When we got to the Barbican we stumbled into the film set for a new episode of Casualty. We didn't really get much chance to look around but I did get this private ambulance on camera with its very appropriate registration number. There were also other ambulances on scene as part of the filming but I was unable to get close enough to film these myself.
didbygraham