Prior to World War Two, it was known for people to be transported to hospitals and medical establishments using wicker stretchers and horse-drawn carts? A far cry from the modern state-of-the-art ambulances we see on the roads today.
The first NHS ambulances came into use after the war thanks to an act of parliament called the National Health Services Act which came into power in 1948. This act of parliament ensured that the minister of health set up a health system for England and Wales, and that the secretary of state for Scotland and Northern Ireland did the same. This early ambulance service was staffed by volunteers but it was recommended by a board of medical experts that all effort should be made to treat the patients during the journey to the hospital. But when each vehicle was basically kitted out with two padded stretchers, 6 blankets, various canvas stretchers including poles, 1 carry chair, wooden splints, burns dressings (roehampton) a maternity pack and each ambulance person should carry a “first aid satchel” the extent to which this treatment would benefit the patient is hard to establish.
Things are very different today as you can see by the Bluelight UK fleet, each with their own particular uses and equipment, we also have access to an extensive database containing information for all ex-service vehicles for sale across the UK, consisting of the following types of vehicles:
PTS Vehicles - Patients also need to get to and from routine hospital appointments. Some patients are too elderly or vulnerable to drive or use public transport. Patient transport service (PTS) ambulances are adapted for frail or disabled passengers and have an assistant on board to help with loading and unloading.
HDU Vehicles - For transport of HDU patients between facilities without the reduction in care.
Bariatric Vehicles - A bariatric ambulance is an ambulance vehicle modified to carry the severely obese. They have extra-wide interiors, and carry "bariatric stretchers" and specialized lifting gear that is capable of carrying very large patients.
RRV’s - Rapid Response Vehicle. Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) are designed to reach the patient as soon as possible. They are usually smaller vehicles that can travel through traffic faster than an ambulance. When an RRV is despatched to a life-threatening emergency call, an emergency ambulance is also sent.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - A wide range of seats, materials, wheelchair lifts and securing equipment are available combined with all the latest in technology offerings and safety.
A&E vehicles - An ambulance is equipped with a variety of emergency care equipment, such as heart defibrillators, oxygen, intravenous drips, spinal and traction splints, and a range of drugs.
All of these vehicles are designed for a comfortable journey whether it is one mile or a hundred miles, ambulances have come a very long way over the years.
If you are looking to buy an ambulance or rent one, Bluelight UK can help. If you require a fleet of ambulances, we usually purchase multiple units to maintain the lowest price possible. Where you may think it may be cheaper to use an auction, remember, you can drive before you buy at Bluelight UK, and you can buy with the confidence that you are using a reputable dealer with no hidden costs. The vehicles for sale HAVE NOT BEEN decommissioned and parts are all intact.
To hire an ambulance, simply give us a call, let us know your requirements, and we'll do the rest.
We can arrange affordable monthly repayments to suit your budget (subject to status). We offer value as standard. With huge savings on a selection of front line and high dependency unit ambulances, and with brand new PTS vehicles now available, Bluelight UK are well worth a call.