New ‘Douglas Chamberlain’ electric bus celebrates legacy of cardiac pioneer

Sussex Heart Charity has marked the first anniversary of Professor Douglas Chamberlain’s passing with a commemorative journey through Brighton on board the newly-named ‘Douglas Chamberlin’ electric bus.

The pioneering cardiologist’s work transformed emergency pre-hospital care in the UK, with Douglas establishing one of the world’s first paramedic teams in the early 1970s while working as Consultant Cardiologist at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. His Brighton training for Ambulance Drivers and Nurses became the UK’s first paramedic course with his vision continuing to influence emergency response and patient care today.

Rupert Cox, Interim Managing Director, Brighton & Hove Buses said:

“We are proud to honour Professor Douglas Chamberlain with one of our new electric buses. His pioneering work has had a lasting impact on emergency care, and it’s fitting that his name will continue to travel through the city he served. This tribute reflects both his legacy and our commitment to a healthier future for Brighton & Hove.”

The commemorative event allowed invited guests to take a special journey on board the newly-named bus, following a route from Brighton Marina, past the hospital and along the seafront before stopping on Madeira Drive for photos.

The event was attended by Douglas’s family, alongside Cllr Theresa Fowler, Mayor of Brighton & Hove, in her first official public engagement, as well as representatives from Sussex Heart Charity.

Matt Denison, Sussex Heart Charity Chief Executive, said:

“Professor Chamberlain’s legacy continues to guide Sussex Heart Charity today. We are incredibly proud not only to have been founded through his work, but to have the privilege of carrying his vision forward for future generations. Douglas believed passionately in innovation, education and empowering communities to save lives, values that remain central to our mission today. Whether supporting NHS cardiac services, patients and healthcare professionals, or reaching communities through AEDs and lifesaving education, we are proud to play our part.

I’d like to thank Brighton & Hove Buses for helping to recognise Douglas’s contribution in this way. It feels particularly fitting that his name will now travel through Brighton, regularly passing the Royal Sussex County Hospital where he helped shape cardiac care for so many years.”

Guests also included former colleagues and friends of Douglas. Among those in attendance were Janet Stevens, Douglas’s long-standing secretary, Dr Richard Vincent and Dr Chris Davidson, who worked with Douglas at the Royal Sussex County Hospital and David Fletcher, one of the first paramedics to be trained in Brighton.

To highlight the impact of Douglas’s work, a number of former cardiac patients were also invited to attend the event. Their presence served as a powerful reminder of the real-world outcomes made possible by the advances in emergency response and cardiac treatment made possible by Douglas’s contributions and legacy.

The brand-new zero-emission ‘Douglas Chamberlain’ electric bus stands as a visible and lasting tribute within the city he served, with his bus in service on route 7, fittingly passing the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Sussex Heart Charity is a Brighton-based charity dedicated to improving, supporting and funding cardiac healthcare across Sussex. Founded through patient-led donations inspired by the work of Professor. Douglas Chamberlain, the charity’s mission is to improve the lives of people with heart conditions. Find out more here.

Track the ‘Douglas Chamberlain’ bus here.