South Western Ambulance Service

Ambulances in Plymouth are now operating under a new name after two NHS trusts merged.Westcountry Ambulance Services and Dorset Ambulance Service have become the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, in line with a decision by the Department of Health.Whitehall says fewer, larger ambulance trusts will result in less bureaucracy, which leaves more money to invest in front-line services. It also hopes more patients will be treated in the community and fewer will need transport to A &E. The new trust incorporates Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with 65 ambulance stations and 2,000 staff serving three million people, doubling to six million with the summer influx of tourists.

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.

Westcountry Ambulance

I have not feature the ambulances for a while so this photo I managed to snatch this week while the crew delivered a very heavily pregnant young lady into the Maternity Unit. Of course I waited until they had gone before I took it!
This does show the neat built in ramp on these smart ambulances.

didbygraham

3rd July 2005: Westcountry Ambulance

WJ52ZSN is a standard ambulance for Westcountry Ambulance NHS Trust based on the Renault Master van chassis. Many of these bodies were built by Papworth.





didbygraham

Westcountry Ambulance PTS

18 May 2005
A few days ago I showed the new Renault Master PTS ambulances for Westcountry Ambulance Service so now you can compare it with the last big batch of Masters. WA51LFN is shown having just left the depot in Plymouth.
didbygraham

Westcountry Ambulance PTS

Westcountry Ambulance Passenger Transport Services division have recently been buying Renault Masters. They bought a large batch of the with '51' registrations which form the main bulk of the fleet now. Just this last week a few new ones have appeared which feature the new look front end which suits these impressive vehicles. WA05EYO sits outside the WAS Plymouth garage before entry to service.
didbygraham

Westcountry Ambulance new Renault

I know its a bit of a cop out but tonight all I have is another Westcountry Ambulance Renault Master. This one appeared yesterday at the same location as the other one. By tonight both of these had moved on, with at least one new ambulance now being parked in the main Ambulance Depot which is just behind the building on the left of this view.

New Ambulance

Not a brilliant photo I am afraid, but here is my first sighting of brand new Renault Master Ambulance for the Westcounty Ambulance NHS Trust fleet (registration WA05DYT). This is the first one I have noticed in the new standard yellow based livery. This is the result of European legislation which requires all ambulances to be yellow. Typical European interference which does nothing to improve matters in my view. These ambulances were much better in the white based livery with the day glow green and yellow 'battenbug' markings as carried on this ambulance - but rather lost in the putrid yellow of the vehicle itself. Still, it was a nice suprise to see it sat outside the Plymouth Ambulance Station which is next to Plymouths Derriford Hospital
didbygraham