Despite being a crucial facet of the city's clubland district, the bus is facing an uncertain future with NHS bosses considering ending its funding when its current contract expires next March.

The first aid service has been a mainstay of the city centre for more than 20 years, stationed on Prince of Wales Road on Friday and Saturday nights.

It costs around £150,000 to run per year, with NHS Norfolk and Waveney comfortably its largest funder.

But bosses are asking the public to share their experiences of it as they consider whether or not to continue its funding beyond next year.

Now, patient group Healthwatch Norfolk (HWN) has backed calls to save the bus, urging people to make leaders know how much they support it.

Alex Stewart, chief executive of HWN, said: "The support offered by Norwich's SOS Bus is vital, helping 2,500 people annually.

READ MORE: Norwich SOS Bus in Prince of Wales Road could be axed by NHS

"Its dedicated team of volunteers play a vital role in the health frontline.

"They can assist and treat people using Norwich's night-time economy reducing pressure on busy hospital emergency departments in the early hours, as well as other services like ambulances and GP practices.

"It is also offering this support in the evening and early hours of weekends when other health care services are either not available or under intense demand.

"As with the city's walk-in centre, it is vital there is a thriving health infrastructure which fits in with the needs and demands of Norfolk.

"We would urge people to make their views known to ensure this vital service continues as a health safety net for those enjoying Norwich's night-time economy."

The survey, which has been described as a "public engagement exercise" rather than a formal consultation, runs until Sunday, June 11.

Participate here: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SOS_CQ.

The Evening News is supporting efforts to save the SOS Bus (Image: Newsquest)

SOS for SOS

In light of the consultation being launched, your Evening News is throwing its weight behind efforts to save the SOS Bus.

The much-valued service has been under threat before and has proved its life-saving worth many times over, thanks to the kind spirit of its volunteers. 

With our NHS services already stretched to breaking point and unacceptably long queues a common sight at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, it's a service which should be protected.

Many will argue that it's a sad reflection of our society that such a service is required and that may well be a valid point, but we all make mistakes, particularly when we're young.

We encourage all of our readers to make their thoughts known in the consultation.