Ambulance Car Service

Ambulance Car Service Drivers (ACS) are volunteers who use their own vehicles to help with the transportation of patients to and from hospitals and clinics, thereby leaving ambulances free for emergencies and for patients too ill to travel by car. We currently have over 150 volunteers helping out throughout the North East.

Volunteers are not paid for their time, however they do receive out of pocket expenses for their mileage.

The basic criteria you need to be considered as a volunteer driver are

  • Be of good character and provide at least two character references/employee reference.
  • Occupational health clearance.
  • Must have full driving license with maximum of three points.
  • Possess a suitable vehicle.
  • Comply with the DVLA Group 2 driving regulations
  • Undergo an enhanced DBS check

Find out more here.

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the application form and POST it to the Freepost address below (EMAILED COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED):

Volunteer Development Team
North East Ambulance Service, NHS Foundation Trust.
FREEPOST  RRST-KYJC-UYHL
Ambulance Headquarters
Bernicia House
Goldcrest Way
Newburn Riverside
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 8NY

If you wish to contact the Volunteer Development Team for any further information, please email volunteer.development.team@neas.nhs.uk 

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Being a volunteer can be very rewarding. 

Janice, from Bedlington, is a carer for an elderlyJanice Robinson lady and in her spare time she volunteers as an ACS driver. 

“The people that I meet make me happy because they are so grateful that someone is using their own time to help them, transporting them to and from appointments," she said. "I have met some amazing people over the years. The job is very emotional sometimes but I take a feeling of satisfaction from helping other people.”

Some of our volunteers have enjoyed it so much they have stayed with us for over 10 years, others have gone on to get permanent jobs within the NHS.

Paul ACSPaul was one of those drivers who  gained full time employment with North East Ambulance Service.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being a volunteer driver, it gave me a chance to experience the ambulance service first hand. If the opportunity of a full time job hadn't come along I would have quite happily stayed as a volunteer until I retired." 

 

Copyright 2011 North East Ambulance Service Trust

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