Hello again RJ.
development of a national HEMS service
Highly unlikely. Why:
How would you square costs and benefits?
It's simply not possible.
no evidence of clinical benefit....or cost-effectiveness.
Correct.
UK HEMS are like cherries on the icing of a cake. Qualitative and not quantifiable. It's just that in the UK, people in most areas of the country want air ambulance helicopters...and so they pay for them.
Why do they pay? That is a really good question. There is huge support for the HEMS Charities in every area. They simply want the cherry on the cake and are prepared to diet, run 26 miles backwards, donate their pocket money for a month, pay a fine for every bunker shot, jump out of 'planes, walk to the North Pole, total body waxes (!), cycle thousands of miles, swim, run, eat; it is never ending and very inventive!
It is only an average cost of 50 pence a year from each adult, in any given area of the UK.
Originally I think the desire was driven by the historic legacy of Chuck and PT (and possibly MASH a little later), with more recent boosts from the Hampster and similar.
Most importantly safety wise the UK HEMS AOC holders are well regulated by the the CAA.
Leave it alone, its doing fine.
Thanks guys!