In April 1981 in Surrey, Service by Emergency Rider Volunteers was set up to supply a quick and reliable means of transporting emergency blood products to the hospitals and medical facilities at night.
Prior to SERV the only means available to hospitals, doctors and other medical establishments for the transport of emergency blood supplies at night were the following:
Taxi
Ambulance
Police
Courier
Transfusion service vehicle
Each of these options had good and bad points:
Taxis: The advantage of these was that there were plenty of them. The disadvantage was reliability and cost. The cost to hospitals would range from
£30 – £60 or more depending on location. The hospital also had to wait for one to be available and it was not guaranteed how long it would take to deliver.
Ambulance: Fast and able to respond quickly. The disadvantage was it removed a much-needed emergency vehicle from service during the transport time.
Police: Fast and able to respond quickly. The disadvantage was it removed a much-needed emergency vehicle from service during the transport time.
Courier: Limited availability during the night. High cost for service Transfusion Service: Provide regular day-time scheduled hospital deliveries, and Ad-Hoc deliveries to hospitals on special request.
SERV supplies this service free of any charge thus freeing up much-needed funds for improved patient care and other needed facilities within the hospital.
Donate your car to support this charity
