Here's a follow-up article from the local press...
Wiltshire Air Ambulance vows to fly on alone
Wiltshire will continue to have an air ambulance should the police pull out of the shared helicopter, although it would mean a considerable increase in fund-raising, the boss of the air ambulance appeal said this week.
Proposals were announced on Tuesday that would result in the number of police helicopters in England and Wales reduced by a third to save money.
The proposals, by the Association of Chief Police Officers, would mean Wiltshire Police sharing a helicopter with forces in Avon and Somerset and Gloucestershire and for it to be based at RAF Colerne.
David Philpott, chairman of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, said yesterday: “My information is that Wiltshire Constabulary will be staying in the contract with GWAS for the next four years and not relocating the helicopter to Colerne and if that is the case the constabulary should be congratulated.
“We have to plan for what I consider is the inevitable which is after 2014 there will be a stand-alone air ambulance for Wiltshire but this gives us plenty of time to gear up our fundraising efforts.”
The running cost of the joint helicopter is £1.3 million a year, with the police paying £800,000 and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal charity contributing £500,000, which includes paying the wages of the paramedics.
Mr Philpott said a stand-alone air ambulance would cost between £1.5 million to £2 million a year.
He said: “It is a big ask for the people of Wiltshire to increase fund-raising by more than 200 per cent but it’s been done elsewhere. We need to set out the case properly.”
Wiltshire’s police helicopter and air ambulance is one of only three such joint aircraft in the country and is one of only two air ambulances that can fly at night due to the specialist police equipment on board.
ACPO want the changes to take effect in April 2012 but Wiltshire Police’s contract with the Great Western Ambulance Service to operate a joint police helicopter and air ambulance runs until December 2014.
Both the police and GWAS can terminate the contract but need to give 18 months’ notice and pay a financial penalty.
Wiltshire Chief Constable Brian Moore said Wiltshire Police is committed to co-operating on a police/air ambulance helicopter until 2014.
He said: “Thereafter we will have to review what’s going to happen. It is desirable but not essential to have a police helicopter exclusively for our own use, provided that there is adequate air ambulance cover. But we will be looking to spend more money on frontline services designed to keep people safe.”
Dr Richard Riseley-Prichard, who lives in Allington near Devizes and was co-founder of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal, said: “The joint helicopter has worked brilliantly in every respect and also provides the most cost effective air ambulance in the country.
“I am very sad to think it might finish and rather surprised that the Home Office hasn’t recognised what a cost effective service it is. I can’t believe the air ambulance will die if the police withdraw.
“I’m quite sure that the people of Wiltshire will continue to give donations.”