A look back to 1965 as London Ambulance Service turns 50

As the London Ambulance Service (LAS) celebrates its 50th birthday, BBC London's Sarah Harris talks to a retired driver who was there when it was formed.

In 1965, nine different ambulance services merged to become the LAS and there was initially suspicion between the units.

Retired driver Mark Bailey says he "stopped counting" after 30 years of working for the service.

Dr Fiona Moore, chief executive at LAS, said the ability to treat patients had changed "dramatically" over the past 50 years, as in 1965 ambulances had just an oxygen cylinder and a bag of bandages.

BBC News