St Andrew's First Aid is a
charity
Charity may refer to:
Common meanings
* Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons
* Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...
based in
Scotland
Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
. Founded in 1882, St Andrew's Ambulance Association was Scotland's first
ambulance service. From 1967, the St. Andrew's Scottish Ambulance Service was the sole contractor for the provision of the ambulance service, until 1974, when the
National Health Service
The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...
(NHS) was reorganised and St Andrew's ambulance role was absorbed into the
Scottish Ambulance Service
The Scottish Ambulance Service () is part of NHS Scotland, which serves all of Scotland, Scotland's population. The Scottish Ambulance Service is governed by a NHS Scotland#Special health boards, special health board and is funded directly by t ...
. The St Andrew's association continued as a provider of
first aid
First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with a medical emergency, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery until medical services arrive. First aid is gener ...
services and training, changing their trading name.
History
Formation and early years
In 1882, St Andrew's Ambulance Association was formed in
Glasgow
Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
by a group of local doctors and businessmen who were concerned by the rapid increase in accidents resulting from traffic and modern machinery. First aid and casualty transportation classes were conducted and Scotland's first ambulance was bought by the association in April 1882, which served Glasgow and the surrounding area providing first aid and transportation to hospital to accident victims. In the following years, the number of calls the association responded to grew so as by 1886 there were six ambulances stationed in towns throughout Scotland.

In order to make teaching more uniform, in 1891 the association published
Dr George T. Beatson's Ambulance Hand-book that provided a concise overview of anatomy, physiology, injuries, first aid treatment and casualty transportation. The book remained the association standard text for over 40 years as it was updated and republished.
At the turn of the century, the association underwent two major changes: In 1899, a
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters patent. Historically, they have been used to promulgate public laws, the most famous example being the English Magna Carta (great charter) of 1215, but ...
was granted by
Queen Victoria
Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...
that changed the association from a collection of individuals to a legally recognised single entity and in 1904 the St Andrew's Ambulance Corps was formed to bring together the various ambulance groups around the country under a single administration.
First World War
Within 48 hours of war being declared, the Corps was able to entirely staff all of Scotland's military hospitals, freeing the regular staff for service. In addition to this, St Andrew's were also able to assemble two Foreign Service Units (which served in France and in hospital ships), a Military Nursing Service (derived from females Corps members) and a transport service alongside the British Red Cross attending to wounded soldiers from hospital trains. Whilst all of this was happening, St Andrew's usual civilian work of first aid training and casualty transportation continued unabated (albeit the additional services placed strain on the association's funds).
Between World Wars
After the First World War ended, the
British Red Cross Society
The British Red Cross Society () is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with 1 ...
presented the association with a large number of motor ambulance wagons that were no longer required by the military. This allowed a complete ambulance service to be extended throughout Scotland. In order to meet the needs of the expanding organisation, the association commissioned plans for permanent Headquarters to be built in the North Street, Glasgow. This building opened in 1929 and its facilities included a garage, workshops, offices, classrooms and a drill hall.
By 1939, the association was granted Royal Patronage, with
The Queen, later known as
The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952 as the wife of King George VI. She was also ...
, as
patron
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, art patronage refers to the support that princes, popes, and other wealthy and influential people ...
.
Second World War
The association faced the task of preparing the Scottish public for air raids, and it responded by providing classes in Aid Raid Precautions, Anti-Gas Precautions and First Aid for air raid casualties. As the First World War, St Andrew's was active in the war effort: the Corps provided thousands of staff for the Civil Nursing Reserve, transportation of casualties after air raids and providing first aid and nursing training to school children. In Glasgow, the association provided accommodation for the newly formed Blood Transfusion Service, as well as arranging free transport for donors.
Key dates
*1882: Founded in
Glasgow
Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
. First Aid classes were organised, 'stretcher stations' were placed in chemist shops and an ambulance was bought.
*1891: The association published Dr George Beatson's Ambulance Handbook.
*18 April 1899: A
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal grant issued by a monarch under royal prerogative as letters patent. Historically, they have been used to promulgate public laws, the most famous example being the English Magna Carta (great charter) of 1215, but ...
was granted by
Queen Victoria
Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...
.
*1904: St. Andrew's Ambulance Corps was formed.
*1918: The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association were donated ambulances from the
British Red Cross Society
The British Red Cross Society () is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with 1 ...
, which were unused after the First World War.
*1928: The association's headquarters opened in North Street,
Glasgow
Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
.
*1937: Royal Patronage was granted, with
The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952 as the wife of King George VI. She was also ...
as
patron
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, art patronage refers to the support that princes, popes, and other wealthy and influential people ...
.
*1946: St Andrew's Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross Scottish Branch agree to pool ambulance resources only (all other activities of both organisations remain independent) and form St. Andrew's and Red Cross Scottish Ambulance Service.
*1948: The
National Health Service
The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...
was formed, and the St. Andrew's and Red Cross Scottish Ambulance Service was contracted to provide the ambulance service.
*1954: The first joint First Aid manual of St. Andrew's Ambulance Association,
St. John Ambulance
St John Ambulance is an affiliated movement of charitable organisations in mostly Commonwealth countries which provide first aid education and consumables and emergency medical services. St John organisations are primarily staffed by volunte ...
and British Red Cross Society was published.
*1967: The
British Red Cross Society
The British Red Cross Society () is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with 1 ...
withdrew from the ambulance service, which became St. Andrew's Scottish Ambulance Service, the sole contractor for the provision of the ambulance service.
*26 June 1970: The Queen Mother opened the association's new National Headquarters in Milton Street, Glasgow. The relocation had been necessary due to the construction of the
M8 motorway.
*2 January 1971: St. Andrew's Ambulance Association were faced with the
disaster
A disaster is an event that causes serious harm to people, buildings, economies, or the environment, and the affected community cannot handle it alone. '' Natural disasters'' like avalanches, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires are caused by na ...
at
Ibrox stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium on the south side of the River Clyde in the Ibrox area of Glasgow, Scotland. The home of Scottish Premiership team Rangers, Ibrox is the third-largest football stadium in Scotland, with an all-seated ca ...
.
*1974: The
National Health Service
The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...
was reorganised, and the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association withdrew from contracting to provide an ambulance service (St. Andrew's Scottish Ambulance Service). The
Scottish Ambulance Service
The Scottish Ambulance Service () is part of NHS Scotland, which serves all of Scotland, Scotland's population. The Scottish Ambulance Service is governed by a NHS Scotland#Special health boards, special health board and is funded directly by t ...
was taken over by Common Services Agency of the
NHS
The National Health Service (NHS) is the term for the publicly funded health care, publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom: the National Health Service (England), NHS Scotland, NHS Wales, and Health and Social Care (Northern ...
. St Andrew's Ambulance Association continued to provide First Aid services and training.
*5 April 1976: An Australian Branch was established in Victoria.
*1978: The Corps celebrated its 75th anniversary.
*1982: The association celebrated its centenary, with a service of thanksgiving at Glasgow Cathedral, attended by the Queen Mother.
*1993: The association bought its first
defibrillator
Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, specifically ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib) and non-perfusing ventricular tachycardia (V-Tach). Defibrillation delivers a dose of electric current (often called a ''count ...
, with training provided by Scottish Ambulance Service.
*1996: The association was granted its coat of arms.
*2004: The Corps celebrated its centenary.
*2006: The organisation underwent a change in corporate identity, renaming its public facing areas as St Andrew's First Aid
*2010: The headquarters underwent a massive refurbishment.
First Aid organisation
The St Andrew's national headquarters is at
Cowcaddens in
Glasgow
Glasgow is the Cities of Scotland, most populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of the River Clyde in Strathclyde, west central Scotland. It is the List of cities in the United Kingdom, third-most-populous city in the United Kingdom ...
. It has the stated aims of promoting the teaching of first aid, supplying first aid equipment and supplies and providing event cover. 2,000 volunteers were registered with St Andrew's Ambulance Corps in 2014, and the organisation relies on these people to be able to provide event cover. In 2016 the charity had an income of £2.5 million. The board of trustees is in overall control.
First aid courses
St Andrew's offers a variety of courses to the general public and in the workplace:
Public courses include:
* Emergency First Aid (a four-hour course, designed to give a brief overview
* Emergency Resuscitation (a two-hour course that teaches
basic life support
Basic life support (BLS) is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening condition of cardiac arrest until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers (paramedics, nurses, physicians or any ...
skills)
* Sports Injuries First Aid
* Baby and Child First Aid
* Anaphylaxis Awareness (a four-hour course)
Workplace courses include:
* First Aid at Work (an 18-hour-long course)
* Emergency First Aid at Work ( one-day course)
St Andrew's Ambulance Corps
The corps was formed in 1904, in order to bring together the various ambulance corps that had formed and to allow these people to improve their first aid skills by practising together and being available at public gathering.
The aim of the corps has not changed over the past 100 years, and today it still exists and provides an opportunity for people to practise and use their first aid skills.
Structure
The corps is made up from over 69 Corps Companies, each of which are based within a specific area and come under the administration of one of the executive committees. Overall control of the corps comes from the association, with national headquarters providing administrative support.
A Corps Company consists of volunteer members who attend regular training meetings, go on duty to provide first aid cover at events and oversee the general running of the company. There are a number of different roles within a Corps Company:
*Associate Member – does not hold a Standard First Aid certificate, but is involved in the running of the company in some other way (fundraising, accounts, administration etc.).
*Member – holds a Standard First Aid Certificate, and attends events as a first aider as well helping in the running of the company.
*Secretary – performs general administrative duties such as taking minutes at AGMs or distributing correspondence from the association.
*Treasurer – administers company accounts, as well as paying expenses to members (for travel to/from duties).
*Public Duty Officer – organises the first aid cover required at duties, and keeps a record of casualties treated.
*Commandant – in overall charge of the company.
*Deputy Commandant – supports the work of the Commandant
*Assistant Commandant – this position (or positions) is only present in larger companies, in which the Commandant and Deputy may require more support in running of the company.
*Section Leader – larger companies may also have section leaders who are responsible for certain roles, and groups of members, allowing commandants to focus on the overall running of the company.
*Honorary Medical Officer – medically qualified person, who advises the company on medical and first aid matters and can also attend public duties.
*Trainer/Assessor – a member who has undertaken the Trainer/Assessor course, so that they can provide training to the Corps Company as well as to the public.
*Community Engagement Facilitator - a member who delivers first aid talks and demonstrations to teach members of the public, Community groups and Schools First aid skills
*Youth Leaders – responsible for training and leadership of the youth groups in the company.
The Ambulance Association trained volunteer members in ambulance work and first aid and provided certificates of proficiency.
Further training
Members of the corps are constantly updating their first aid skill at regular meetings, however there is also opportunity to undertake further training courses:
*Automated External Defibrillation – allows members to use an
AED whilst on duty. Which is now standard for all members
*Moving and Handling – covers safe handling and transport of casualties. Techniques taught include
scoop stretcher,
spinal board
A spinal board, is a patient handling device used primarily in pre-hospital trauma care. It is designed to provide rigid support during movement of a person with suspected spinal or limb injuries. They are most commonly used by ambulance staff, ...
,
cervical collar
A cervical collar, also known as a neck brace, is a medical device used to support and immobilize a person's neck. It is also applied by emergency personnel to those who have had traumatic head or neck injuries, although they should not be rou ...
,
trolley bed, carry chairs and carry sheets.
*Leadership Course – allows members to take up the positions of Commandant, Deputy Commandant or Assistant Commandant.
There is also training in radio communications, as
radios
Radio is the technology of communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 3 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connected to ...
are used by members at many duties in order to help speed up communications, and better mobilise members and equipment in response to incidents.
Duties
The corps supplies members to duties across the country, ranging from village fêtes to international sporting events and music festivals. For example, St Andrew's provides cover at three of Scotland's largest stadia (
Celtic Park
Celtic Park is a Soccer-specific stadium, football stadium and the home of Scottish Premiership team Celtic F.C., Celtic, in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, Scotland. With a capacity of 60,832, it is the largest List of football stadiums in Sco ...
,
Hampden Park
Hampden Park ( ; Scottish Gaelic: ''Pàirc Hampden'') is a association football, football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland, which is the national stadium of football in Scotland and home of the Scotland national football ...
,
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium on the south side of the River Clyde in the Ibrox area of Glasgow, Scotland. The home of Scottish Premiership team Rangers, Ibrox is the third-largest football stadium in Scotland, with an all-seated ca ...
), as well as major festivals such as
T in the Park
T in the Park festival was a major Scottish music festival that was held annually from 1994 to 2016. It was named after its main sponsor, Tennents. The event was held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire, until 1996. It then moved to the disused ...
and Live at Loch Lomond.
Uniform
St Andrew's first aiders are required to wear uniform when on duty and are encouraged to wear it whenever they are representing the organisation. The uniform comprises black combat trousers, blue polo shirt (with association logos and First Aid branding), and soft shell jacket. It is worn on public duties.
In addition, there are high visibility jackets, hard hats, ski hats, waterproof jackets and backpack style first aid kits. Grey polo shirts are worn by support volunteers and fundraising teams.
Relationship with other organisations
St Andrew's,
St John Ambulance
St John Ambulance is an affiliated movement of charitable organisations in mostly Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth countries which provide first aid education and consumables and emergency medical services. St John organisations are primari ...
and the
British Red Cross Society
The British Red Cross Society () is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with 1 ...
collectively form the Voluntary Aid Societies. Together, the organisations produce the official First Aid Manual in the United Kingdom.
Following an agreement in 1908, St John Ambulance ceased to operate in Scotland and St Andrew's ceased to operate in England.
St Andrew's enjoys good relations with the British Red Cross, and they often work in partnership at larger duties such as
T in the Park
T in the Park festival was a major Scottish music festival that was held annually from 1994 to 2016. It was named after its main sponsor, Tennents. The event was held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire, until 1996. It then moved to the disused ...
.
Honours
* The
Voluntary Medical Service Medal may be earned by volunteers with St Andrew's First Aid after 15 years service with a
Clasp for each additional period of five years service. This medal is also awarded by the
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross Society () is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with 1 ...
in
England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
,
Scotland
Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
,
Wales
Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...
,
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...
, the
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man ( , also ), or Mann ( ), is a self-governing British Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. As head of state, Charles III holds the title Lord of Mann and is represented by a Lieutenant Govern ...
and many
British Overseas Territories
The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) or alternatively referred to as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are the fourteen dependent territory, territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom that, ...
.
References
External links
*
*
St Andrew's First Aid Australia
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Andrew's Ambulance Association
First aid organizations
Health charities in Scotland
Organisations based in Glasgow with royal patronage
Organisations based in Glasgow
Organizations established in 1882
1882 establishments in Scotland
Ambulance services in Scotland