Unique partnership

We have embarked on a unique partnership with South Western Ambulance Service to run a mobile treatment unit, freeing up vital ambulance services across the region.

The partnership allows for the deployment of a treatment centre at public events including festivals and air shows, meaning casualties are treated on site, rather than transported to nearby hospitals.

During its first outing, the mobile unit treated more than 70 people at the summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge last month.

Royal Mail was initially approached by the ambulance service when the mobile unit’s tractor broke down. The arrangement means Royal Mail now houses the unit at Bristol mail centre and provides a driver. In a separate commercial agreement, it also covers maintenance, inspection and licensing of the vehicle.

Lisa Durrant, head of performance and efficiency, national distribution, saie: ‘The request touched my heart. If we can free up seven ambulances, then it’s the right thing to do.’

Royal Mail driver Dave Smith said: ‘It’s a brilliant idea, and a Royal Mail tractor pulling a bright yellow treatment unit on the road certainly attracts lots of attention. The next stage is to train up around six drivers to cover shifts.’