What we do
South Central Ambulance Service runs a range of services, including:
- 999 call centres and road crews
- 111 call centres
- Patient transport call centres and road crews
Supporting these core services are a range of specialist teams and volunteers.
999 emergency service
Our 999 emergency service operates around the clock across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
Along with the support of emergency call takers, dispatchers and clinicians working in our two clinical co-ordination centres we deal with over 606,000 urgent 999 incidents each year.
NHS 111
NHS 111 is the non-emergency number when you urgently need medical help or advice, but it’s not a life-threatening situation. NHS 111 is free to the caller and accessible 24/7, 365 days a year.
This service is provided round-the-clock by over 500 staff, who answer 1.5million calls a year. Call takers are supported by a range of clinicians within the 111 team, and can seamlessly transfer issues to our 999 service if needed.
Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service
We provide a non-emergency Patient Transport Service (PTS) across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Sussex.
The service is for eligible patients with planned same day hospital appointments and returning home after a stay in hospital. Our teams are made up of ambulance care assistants, call takers, dispatchers, team leaders and support staff. The service is also supported by volunteer care drivers.
Community First Responders
Community First Responders are volunteers who support our 999 service. They’re an important part of our team and make a life-saving contribution to patients in their community who dial 999. There are over 1,000 Community and Co-Responders supporting SCAS locally.
CFRs are made up of members of the public, fire service, police community support officers, coastguards and military responders.
Specialist Operations
HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) is a team of paramedics specifically trained and equipped to deliver care to patients who are injured or ill in hazardous environments.
Previously the ambulance service was unable to work in these areas as it would have been unsafe for ambulance staff to do so. By ensuring ongoing specialist training with partner agencies such as the Police, Fire Service and Maritime & Coastguard Agency we can support the public in challenging and complex incidents.
Volunteer Car Drivers
Our Volunteer Car Drivers support the Patient Transport Service and help hundreds of people access hospital services every day of the year.
Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds but all have a common bond in wanting to give something back to their communities! No previous experience is required just a friendly caring attitude and some spare time. We offer complete flexibility so you can volunteer as little or as much as you like, whilst fitting in with other commitments.