Charles meets 999 workers on visit to ambulance headquarters

The Prince of Wales has experienced the flurry of activity in London’s central emergency call and dispatch hub during a visit to the city’s ambulance headquarters.

Charles also drew on his first aid training to take part in a defibrillation demonstration when he toured the London Ambulance Service on Thursday.

An ambulance blasted its sirens and turned out into Waterloo Road shortly before the prince arrived, sending a squirrel dashing out of a bush.

Royal visit to London Ambulance Service
Royal visit to London Ambulance Service

Charles spoke with frontline paramedics, call handlers, nurses and mental health experts, asking questions about their vital work for the city.

Those who met him included dispatcher Sam Stangroom, who was among dozens of busy operators gathering information about emergencies across the city.

Charles was particularly interested in emergencies at Heathrow Airport, noted Ms Stangroom.

Royal visit to London Ambulance Service
Royal visit to London Ambulance Service

“It’s not the average sort of Thursday working day, is it, having a prince come into your office?” she said afterwards.

The senior royal then zapped a dummy with electricity in a heart-starting demonstration alongside community defibrillation manager Lynsey Grant.

“Everyone clear,” the defibrillator machine droned before Charles pressed a red button.

Royal visit to London Ambulance Service
Royal visit to London Ambulance Service

Ms Grant said Charles was trained in CPR and was genuinely interested in the life-saving practice.

“I’m super impressed,” she said of meeting him, adding: “I’ve reached the pinnacle of my career.”

Charles also met members of a new rapid-response team that will specialise in treating patients in a mental health crisis, in a scheme launching next month.

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