This guide describes ambulances in general. What the ambulance for your trip carries, and who travels with the patient, is confirmed by our dispatcher before you book.
There is no standard number. A hospital keeps as many ambulances as its size, work and budget allow, and many keep few or none. That is why families often call an outside service.
What decides the number
- Size and beds. Larger hospitals move more patients.
- Speciality. A heart or children’s hospital may need specialised vehicles.
- Budget. Vehicles, crew, fuel and maintenance cost a lot to run all year.
- Demand. Hospitals in busy areas or with big emergency departments need more.
- Location. Hospitals far from other hospitals move patients further.
Why many hospitals rely on outside services
- A vehicle sits idle much of the time and still costs money.
- Different patients need different vehicles. One hospital rarely owns them all.
- Peaks are hard to plan for. An outside service can add capacity.
What this means for your family
Do not assume the hospital has an ambulance free. Ask the NICU or ward staff early: “Can you arrange the ambulance, or should we?” If not, call a service yourself. For a hospital-to-hospital transfer see our ICU ambulance service or NICU ambulance service.
Government and private
Government and hospital-run ambulances and private services differ in cost, booking and choice. See private or government ambulance.
Call 01919-339689 any time. A dispatcher answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
