A few days ago I attended the funeral of a local Police Officer who died whilst on duty. Local dignitaries from the county attended along with representatives from other uniformed services. Seeing these other services turned out immaculately in their parade uniforms highlighted how much of an embarrassment the modern ambulance service uniform has become.
Not so long ago, when you called upon the ambulance service, two chaps would turn up in a white door mobile wearing a peaked cap and a stiff blazer. Their ambulance would be gleaming white with all the chrome polished. Their uniform would be neatly pressed, their buttons shining, their tie straight and their boots bulled so you could see your face in them.
Over the years the NHS ambulance service has spent millions of pounds chasing the infamous eight minute target time. But in doing so it has had to sacrifice money in other areas. Nowhere is this more evident than when we join other uniformed services to honour a fallen colleague.
