Threat to Air Ambulance recedes

8.41.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 14th Jun 2008

Councillors at the May meeting of West Wiltshire Council gave their full backing to efforts to save Wiltshire's Air Ambulance. Council leader Graham Payne said he would write to the Great Western Ambulance Service opposing any moves to a regional air ambulance service, and opposition leader Trevor Carbin pointed out that although the service was largely funded by the police many local people and organisations were involved in fund-raising to support it, and as such there was a sense of ownership by the people of Wiltshire in their Air Ambulance.

In 2007 the Air Ambulance attended 645 incidents where its speed or ability to get to otherwise inaccessible locations made all the difference to the patient. They need to raise £350,000 a year to keep flying.

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Text of letter from the leader of the council:

"Dear Mr Lynch

This Council was very concerned to read the press reports regarding the possible removal of the Wiltshire based air ambulance.

Residents are justifiably proud of the service provided by the Air Ambulance Team and the amount of voluntary donations which are generated bear witness to the pride that Wiltshire folk have in the service.

Before any final decision is made to transfer the provision to a Bristol based helicopter, I would urge you to consult fully with all interested parties in the County of Wiltshire and to carefully heed their views.

The good will of the people cannot be taken for granted and change does not always result in improvement.

Yours sincerely

Graham Payne"

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The response from the stupidly named Great Western Ambulance Service is reassuring, though the implication remains that similar public/press campaigns may be necessary in the future. They say:

"The Wiltshire Air Ambulance is not under threat. GWAS remains committed to providing effective air ambulance cover to the people of Wiltshire and the best clinical care possible.

Last week we announced a clinical review of the service we provide to each of the three charities, which run Air Ambulances across the Trust. This review will look at the level of clinical skills crews have, and what level of skills crews may need in the future. We are also looking at what clinical support is provided to other Air Ambulances across the country so we can find the best clinical model available to improve the service to the people of Wiltshire, NOT remove it. But if we find we cannot improve the clinical level of the service provided by Wiltshire Air Ambulance, we will not change any of the current arrangements.

There has also been confusion in the papers about the new Air Ambulance that will shortly start operation in Avon, run by a separate charity, the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. This Filton-based Air Ambulance has been set up in response to an identified gap in Air Ambulance cover for the people of Avon. This will be an addition to the Air Ambulance cover in Wiltshire NOT a replacement. It will of course, when required, fly into Wiltshire and Gloucestershire in support of the existing helicopter in that location.

We also want to assure you that GWAS wants to continue its relationship with Wiltshire Police. The contract for The Air Ambulance is in the process of being re-negotiated with the police and we are seeking a one-year extension whilst we are undertaking our clinical review of the best way of providing services to patients."

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This statement has been corroborated by Wiltshire Police.