<P> The National Health Service Act 1946 gave county and borough councils a statutory responsibility to provide an emergency ambulance service , although they could contract a voluntary ambulance service to provide this , with many contracting the British Red Cross , St John Ambulance or another local provider . The last St John Division , ( the original designation of a local unit , now called ' branches ' ) , to be so contracted is reputed to have been at Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire , where the two - bay ambulance garage can still be seen at the branch headquarters . The Regional Ambulance Officers ' Committee reported in 1979 that `` There was considerable local variation in the quality of the service provided , particularly in relation to vehicles , staff and equipment . Most Services were administered by Local Authorities through their Medical Officer of Health and his Ambulance Officer , a few were under the aegis of the Fire Service , whilst others relied upon agency methods for the provision of part or all of their services . '' </P>
<P> The National Health Service Act 1946 gave county and borough councils a statutory responsibility to provide an emergency ambulance service , although they could contract a voluntary ambulance service to provide this , with many contracting the British Red Cross , St John Ambulance or another local provider . The last St John Division , ( the original designation of a local unit , now called ' branches ' ) , to be so contracted is reputed to have been at Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire , where the two - bay ambulance garage can still be seen at the branch headquarters . The Regional Ambulance Officers ' Committee reported in 1979 that `` There was considerable local variation in the quality of the service provided , particularly in relation to vehicles , staff and equipment . Most Services were administered by Local Authorities through their Medical Officer of Health and his Ambulance Officer , a few were under the aegis of the Fire Service , whilst others relied upon agency methods for the provision of part or all of their services . '' </P>
when did the ambulance service start in the uk
when did the ambulance service start in the uk
1946
1946