ppheli - You might get your facts right ! Sussex have always contracted for 730 hrs a year and in fact are running at nearer to 800. We would argue that running as a combined Police and HEMS operation we are more cost effective due to the financial support of the Ambulance Service. The new management of the combined SE Ambulance Service are VERY supportive of our model as are the Police Command Team in Sussex. Perhaps it would be best for Surrey to also take on the HEMS role and cover both counties with two joint aircraft.