Coach drivers from Bakers Dolphin are to work as ambulance drivers following an agreement with Bristol Ambulance Emergency Medical Services.
The partnership comes after the cancellation of all national and international travel due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
In total 20 drivers will cover patient transport journeys for Bristol Ambulance, which has a fleet of 95 ambulances and is to support the NHS in anticipation of a rise in COVID-19 cases in the Bristol area.
Other Bakers Dolphin drivers will continue to provide transport for the children of key workers, who are still attending school.
Says Bakers Dolphin Managing Director Max Fletcher: “Bristol Ambulance needs experienced drivers to support it as it expects demand to soar over the forthcoming weeks.
“We set up a straight-forward agreement where we retain the drivers as employees and Bristol Ambulance has a contract with us to supply them.”
Mr Fletcher says Bakers Dolphin is supporting its employees so that they can resume work as normal when the crisis is over.
