Cost effectiveness is not an easy thing to get an accurate handle on.
AMEN to that!
However, before I digress (which I just know I will!
), lets get back to the original question. The 'Sheffeild report' was, at the time of publication, a blow to existing Air Ambulance operations in this country who relied heavily on the generosity of public donations to survive. This is still the case today, apart from the Scottish service. Fortunately the report was discredited as flawed and, some say, being
given direction to it's conclusions. There have been many more valid papers/reports since then and, as suggested before, if you're that interested, just google!
Are we cost effective?................How long is a peice of string?
It is very difficult to evaluate a service that has no defined outcome (except when they come and see us to say thank you!). To expand on that, ALL UK Ambulance service targets are set by the government, and those targets are SOLELY based on 'time to get a response to an incident'. HEMS will rarely make this standard so do not count towards the ORCON standard of response times. However, there are moves by government to expand the targets to include PATIENT OUTCOME ( how long did they spend in hospital? How much did their care cost? Did they walk out or in a box?) that sort of thing. If patient outcome becomes a factor, then there will be concrete evidence which, we hope, will be the basis for any future studies as to cost effectivness of HEMS operations. Until then things will still be very subjective.
Briefly, to touch on a couple of other points:-
Yes we do talk to each other. The 'triple A' (Air Ambulance Association) is growing in strength as a forum for all UK Air Ambulances.
You cannot make a direct comparison between the RNLI and Air Ambulances. Two totally different operations IMHO!
The equipment levels are different between different operations because that is how they've evolved, mostly through trial and error. You will not get standardisation of equipment until you have a national Air Ambulance service. And, if I may suggest, before that we would need a
national Ambulance service, and dare I suggest, a
national Police force! Now there's a topic to get those ASU boys going!
GRIFFO me old mate. You'll be pleased to hear those Kernow boys are still doing you proud!
