15 Feb 2011 - "History of the St Andrew's Ambulance Service"

This month’s talk was given by Mrs Brenda Kidd who was speaking on the History of the St Andrew's Ambulance Service.

The first Association was created in 1882 by local doctors with stretcher stations set up in local chemist shops.  In 1904 all the local ambulance services were brought together into one administration.  The initial ambulances were horse drawn with the first motorised ambulance being purchased in 1906 at a cost of £747 6s 5d.  One of the drivers was fined £1 for speeding.  The association tried to have the fine quietly dropped but without success.

Mrs Kidd went onto explain the Society established an ambulance service with the Red Cross Society.  In 1937 gained Royal Patronage with HRH Queen Mother.  With the establishment of the NHS in 1948, St Andrews Ambulance was given the contract for the newly established ambulance service.

In 1999, the Ambulance Service gained recognition from the Scottish Qualifications Authority and the Society became a SQA centre.

Mrs Kidd finished off her talk by giving a demonstration on how to apply some arm bandage with the assistance from some of our members.

Graeme Savage