AGY-4921 | Central District Ambulance Service

Full description

Provision and administration of ambulance services in New South Wales were brought under the control of the New South Wales government by enactment of the Ambulance Transport Service Act 1919 (Act No.5, 1919).

The Act provided for the establishment of ambulance districts administered by District Committees under the control of a board known as the New South Wales Ambulance Transport Service Board.(1) One such district was the Central District which comprised the area with the boundaries, from time to time, of the Sydney Metropolitan Traffic Area. (2). In its Annual Report of 1949, Central District reports that this was its 54th Annual Report, the 30th since coming under the umbrella of the Ambulance Transport Service Act 1919.(3) Under the Act districts were appointed and delimited by the Board. The business and operations of each district were administered by the District Committee under the control of the Board.(4) The District Committees were elected by contributors in each particular District.

Ambulance districts were supported financially by members' contributions and contributions from local Municipal Councils, Ladies Ambulance Auxiliaries and other community groups. Any contributions were permitted to be used in that District only, other than funds required to be forwarded to the Board.

The administrative system of districts continued until after the Ambulance Service Act (No.15) 1972. However, the Ambulance Service Act (No 72) of 1976 makes no reference to the district system.

The administrative system appears to have evolved from dozens of districts into four Divisions by 2006. The Northern, Southern, Western, and Sydney Divisions being responsible for service delivery, administrative and business support functions, while operation centres co-ordinate all resources in their particular geographical areas.(5)

Endnotes:
(1) Ambulance Transport Services Act, 1919 ss 12-24
(2) Ibid. s.12
(3) Annual Report, Central District Ambulance 30 June 1949. (12/5400.1)
(4) Ambulance Transport Services Act, 1919 s.18
(5) Ambulance Service of New South Wales Website. 15.3.2006.