Originally Posted by
El Bunto
It's not quite as 'obvious' as that. Basing in Belfast seems geographically logical but because of the skewed population distribution in NI it would actually amplify current disparities.
Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry currently have the lowest patient survival rates because of distance and less-accessible routes ( as a result of lower population density and more rural distribution ). Therefore, basing an air ambulance at St Angelo would make sense since it reduces the outbound empty-leg time to the point of patient stabilisation and transfer.
For the eastern counties, conventional road-bound triage and stabilisation is much faster on-scene and the air ambulance would primarily be for the transfer process.
Given the BFS location is fairly central, it makes more sense to me. Don't forget that some of the Eastern counties have some of the most inaccessible terrain in the country. The difference from St angelo to Cushendall compared with BFS as an origin might make the difference in a serious accident. Still, there is room for discussion, I will give you that.