 In 1887, trained volunteers were organised into a uniformed Brigade to provide a first aid and ambulance service at public events.In many parts of England (and in parts of Scotland, until 1908), St John Ambulance was the first and only provider of an ambulance service right up to the middle of the 20th century, when the National Health Service was founded.When there were far fewer doctors and hospital beds than today, St John Ambulance nurses looked after the sick and injured in their own homes.