Yorkshire Air Ambulance Folded ?
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Yorkshire Air Ambulance Folded ?
Heard a rumour this week the Yorkshire AA has folded - whilst trully hoping this is nothing but a malicious tale - can anyone shed any light on the matter?
Is it still flying or not?
Is it still flying or not?
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Definitely still flying!
You can e-mail them at [email protected] to check
Don't know where that one came from!
[ 14 November 2001: Message edited by: whoateallthepies ]
You can e-mail them at [email protected] to check
Don't know where that one came from!
[ 14 November 2001: Message edited by: whoateallthepies ]
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There is a piece in our local rag this very night, it goes on to explain about the NW air Ambulance, may not have much time left either, and goes on to cast doubt on the AA coporate sponsorship that has so far been enjoyed, the NWAA was called out and undertook 1700 missions last year. This is an old story but in past threads much discussion has been typed about the Air Amb service, and it is quite sad to think that because corporate body's cannot keep paying, the Government, or local Government won't step in and take over this sort of service, without being to silly, 1 years cost equals 1 Tomahawk Cruise missile, quite frankly I know what I would rather have!!
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Heard the rumour from a friend of one of the trustees - who is possitive time is running out if not too late now! - plus one of the paramedics from the setup - again I say not totally sure of the facts - but in the last day various people from different departments are saying the same - hope I'm wrong - hence asking here for better info
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cant see them packing up yet i recieved info yesterday for advertising in a book of theirs .they did a nice desk diary earlier in the year which my company advertised in
if they are in trouble how can we help .we all need the response times they can offer on a busy motorway with 5 mile tailbacks the air ambulance gets help there quicker and if needed gets you back to hospital quicker
how about some type of ppruners fly in .or what you say it ..
if they are in trouble how can we help .we all need the response times they can offer on a busy motorway with 5 mile tailbacks the air ambulance gets help there quicker and if needed gets you back to hospital quicker
how about some type of ppruners fly in .or what you say it ..
VFR, like the analogy 
These units rely on approx £60,000+ per month to keep their head above water. Thats a lot of collection cans and begging. I haven't seen the stats yet but I woud suspect there is a ratio of helo's to population below which the Unit could not financilly survive. [Guess: 1 helo/750,000 pop.?].
Over the next few years, the efficiently run charitable end of the operation will keep the healthy units going. Bad admin/accounting/pop ratio will see the end of the others.
What the country needs is either a bigger profile on sponsorship, or similar to the US (ish), a health tax
I'd pay an extra £1 on my community tax for the air ambulance....
These units rely on approx £60,000+ per month to keep their head above water. Thats a lot of collection cans and begging. I haven't seen the stats yet but I woud suspect there is a ratio of helo's to population below which the Unit could not financilly survive. [Guess: 1 helo/750,000 pop.?].
Over the next few years, the efficiently run charitable end of the operation will keep the healthy units going. Bad admin/accounting/pop ratio will see the end of the others.
What the country needs is either a bigger profile on sponsorship, or similar to the US (ish), a health tax
I'd pay an extra £1 on my community tax for the air ambulance....
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In sunny Scotland the national air ambulance service is a government contract and does not rely on charity ( however worthy ) to keep it going. It beggars belief that such a vital service is allowed to lead such an uncoordinated hand to mouth existance in the rest of the UK. The home office / dept of health should get a grip and properly fund and coordinate the necessary assets.
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The only reason a Air Ambulance operation was started up in Scotland was so that they could shut down a lot of islands hospitals/accident & emergency units, giving an overall cash saving.
It's more of a patient transfer servic - the amount of HEMS done is minimal, although this may change in the future.
It's more of a patient transfer servic - the amount of HEMS done is minimal, although this may change in the future.
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Ally1987, accepting your point my friend that still doesn't justify the lack of coordination and hand to mouth funding of the service throughout the rest of the UK. I know that the chaps in Scotland are not allowed to attend RTAs in the dark as they cannot do night landings at unrecognised sites, however they are more than just a patient transfer service.
I believe the original justification for the service at Inverness was that it had to do the job of 6 road ambulances. Given the widely distributed population and the fact that most small hospitals, of which there are still many, may require a means of rapid transfer to a suitable trauma centre a helicopter is an essential additional tool. An RTA in the highlands, or for that matter a hospital transfer, can require a journey by road of many hours.
I just think it is wrong that these services in the rest of UK are not funded from government, they take enough in taxes they should not rely on peoples charity for vital services.
I believe the original justification for the service at Inverness was that it had to do the job of 6 road ambulances. Given the widely distributed population and the fact that most small hospitals, of which there are still many, may require a means of rapid transfer to a suitable trauma centre a helicopter is an essential additional tool. An RTA in the highlands, or for that matter a hospital transfer, can require a journey by road of many hours.
I just think it is wrong that these services in the rest of UK are not funded from government, they take enough in taxes they should not rely on peoples charity for vital services.
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A good rumour to start, but totally unfounded. I have it on good authority that YAA is almost self sufficient in charitable donations, despite only having been in service 12 months.
Another good rumour to start is that some ambulance services rely so heavily on the arcraft to meet their ORCON targets, that some funding may be made available in order to keep them going should charitable donations take a nose dive.
I have seen the YAA fly several times this weekend, so rumours of their death are a little premature!
Another good rumour to start is that some ambulance services rely so heavily on the arcraft to meet their ORCON targets, that some funding may be made available in order to keep them going should charitable donations take a nose dive.
I have seen the YAA fly several times this weekend, so rumours of their death are a little premature!
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Keepin it in trim:
I have some sympathy with your argument, but to take your points one by one:
1. No UK HEMS can do landings at night, it's not just a Scottish thing.
2. The Scottish operation is more than a patient transfer service but not much more. The flying rate is far lower in launches and hours than the English ones and the ratio of transfers to HEMs, in hours flying, is probably 90% to 10%, maybe more.
3. I'd be surprised if the Inverness unit does the job of half an ambulance never mind six. They spent vast quantities of time flaked out on a sofa, and I speak from personal experience
4. "I just think it is wrong that these services in the rest of UK are not funded from government, they take enough in taxes they should not rely on peoples charity for vital services." Yeah, well, there isn't an unlimited pot of money and obviously other people would not agree with your idea of HEMS being a priority -- the vast majority of city-based populations probably get their ambulances in 8 minutes or whatever, anyway. It's not always about money anyway. A huge no-cost improvement in the Scottish service would be a switch from a 'first come, first served' 999 service to a priority based dispatch one.
I have some sympathy with your argument, but to take your points one by one:
1. No UK HEMS can do landings at night, it's not just a Scottish thing.
2. The Scottish operation is more than a patient transfer service but not much more. The flying rate is far lower in launches and hours than the English ones and the ratio of transfers to HEMs, in hours flying, is probably 90% to 10%, maybe more.
3. I'd be surprised if the Inverness unit does the job of half an ambulance never mind six. They spent vast quantities of time flaked out on a sofa, and I speak from personal experience
4. "I just think it is wrong that these services in the rest of UK are not funded from government, they take enough in taxes they should not rely on peoples charity for vital services." Yeah, well, there isn't an unlimited pot of money and obviously other people would not agree with your idea of HEMS being a priority -- the vast majority of city-based populations probably get their ambulances in 8 minutes or whatever, anyway. It's not always about money anyway. A huge no-cost improvement in the Scottish service would be a switch from a 'first come, first served' 999 service to a priority based dispatch one.
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Ally
Sussex HEMS have been doing night landings for quite a few years now. This is possible because they are a joint Police/Ambulance operation, using the FLIR and nightsun to identify landing areas.
Sussex HEMS have been doing night landings for quite a few years now. This is possible because they are a joint Police/Ambulance operation, using the FLIR and nightsun to identify landing areas.
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Ally,
Some good points, but if you want guaranteed 8 minute response you need to live in the south-east of England or near an ambulance station. God forbid if you live on the outskirts of a provincial city, or worse still in the countryside, where you might wait 45 minutes.
Top tip of the day: do not have a heart attack in the hills or mountains. If the air ambulance doesn't get to you, you could wait three hours.
It doesn't help if you are a higher rate tax payer either!
Some good points, but if you want guaranteed 8 minute response you need to live in the south-east of England or near an ambulance station. God forbid if you live on the outskirts of a provincial city, or worse still in the countryside, where you might wait 45 minutes.
Top tip of the day: do not have a heart attack in the hills or mountains. If the air ambulance doesn't get to you, you could wait three hours.
It doesn't help if you are a higher rate tax payer either!
Night landings by quasi HEMS police units is done under the auspices of "casevac". Thats the way they get away with it. It's a hangover from the police only ops procedures. Though still available, I suspect it's going to be removed come the next revamp of the POM1 as JAR Ops continues its relentless takeover!
Secondly, preliminary reports from a preview of the latest Air Ambulance report undertaken by Sheffield Uni, indicate that the increase in Air ambulances nationally, might be the right philosophy.
Secondly, preliminary reports from a preview of the latest Air Ambulance report undertaken by Sheffield Uni, indicate that the increase in Air ambulances nationally, might be the right philosophy.
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Damn stupid thing about all of this is that we have had in this country for the last 40 odd years an emergency medical helicopter service provided by the RAF< the Royal Navy and HM Coastguard.
Whilst the SAR helos may be better equipped for rescuing people they are just as capable at landing on beside a road and they are just as well eqipped as the civvie air ambulances, and they can fly in all weathers, they are not bound by JAR rules, they can fly at night and land in a field anywhere. But still the NHS/ambulance services refuse to call for this free service. The SAR helicopters are not even incorporated in many of the Area disaster plans.
The charity/single autonmous unit idea of the english Air Ambulances has lead to all sorts of problems with liaison/comunication between airborne asstes. From personal experience many Air Ambs seem to want to take all of the pie, even when an incident is the responsibility of the SAR/Police assets.
At least in Scotland, thanks to a little coordination and only one POC for Air Amb callouts the liaison between SAR and Air Amd is effective and therefore the punter/cas and flight safety all benefit.
The unfortunate thing is that the englilsh air ams don't talk to each other that much because the whole issue is so politcally sensitve between units let alone the gov and there are so many prima donnas out there. The english and welsh public suck the hind t1t as usual.
But back to the yorkshire air amb. Nice setup and good people and at least they are trying to solve the bigger issues affecting the air ambs nationally. Best of luck to them.
Whilst the SAR helos may be better equipped for rescuing people they are just as capable at landing on beside a road and they are just as well eqipped as the civvie air ambulances, and they can fly in all weathers, they are not bound by JAR rules, they can fly at night and land in a field anywhere. But still the NHS/ambulance services refuse to call for this free service. The SAR helicopters are not even incorporated in many of the Area disaster plans.
The charity/single autonmous unit idea of the english Air Ambulances has lead to all sorts of problems with liaison/comunication between airborne asstes. From personal experience many Air Ambs seem to want to take all of the pie, even when an incident is the responsibility of the SAR/Police assets.
At least in Scotland, thanks to a little coordination and only one POC for Air Amb callouts the liaison between SAR and Air Amd is effective and therefore the punter/cas and flight safety all benefit.
The unfortunate thing is that the englilsh air ams don't talk to each other that much because the whole issue is so politcally sensitve between units let alone the gov and there are so many prima donnas out there. The english and welsh public suck the hind t1t as usual.
But back to the yorkshire air amb. Nice setup and good people and at least they are trying to solve the bigger issues affecting the air ambs nationally. Best of luck to them.
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From the Northern Echo
OWNERS of an aviation museum were celebrating a major coup last night after being offered a vital role in the work of an airborne 999 crew.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance - a 140mph helicopter with a three- strong team of paramedics - has suffered problems taking off from its usual base at Leeds Bradford Airport because of poor weather conditions.
And as a result, emergency services chiefs have decided to forge stronger links with the region by setting up a winter base at the Yorkshire Air Museum, in Elvington, near York.
Museum bosses said they were delighted to be offered the role as a strategic base - and its effectiveness has already been proven.
The announcement came after a day of confusion. Initially ambulance service officials said they had no plans to switch before apparently changing their minds.
The helicopter has been on stand-by at the museum this week - and was airborne just 90 seconds after an emergency call came in on Tuesday.
Museum spokesman Ian Richardson said: "It is quite a major coup for the museum. It recognises the infrastructure in place and the levels of service we can provide here."
Chris Day, of the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service, said: "It makes sense, as it is a reasonably central point in North Yorkshire, with good access to the coast and the North York Moors.
"One of the issues with Leeds Bradford is that it is quite a high base and cloud cover can be a problem."
It has also been learned that the ambulance service has reached an agreement with military chiefs to use bases at RAF Leeming and Dishforth for the helicopter.
Mr Day said: "We are working with the RAF to establish more new bases in North Yorkshire. Leeming is our first choice because of the excellent facilities it has.
"The Army has been very kind to offer us their support."
The air ambulance service took to the skies last October and is equipped to deal with a variety of emergency situations.
It will be able to take advantage of lower fuel costs at Leeming and Dishforth because of an arrangement between the RAF and the National Association of Air Ambulances.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance - a 140mph helicopter with a three- strong team of paramedics - has suffered problems taking off from its usual base at Leeds Bradford Airport because of poor weather conditions.
And as a result, emergency services chiefs have decided to forge stronger links with the region by setting up a winter base at the Yorkshire Air Museum, in Elvington, near York.
Museum bosses said they were delighted to be offered the role as a strategic base - and its effectiveness has already been proven.
The announcement came after a day of confusion. Initially ambulance service officials said they had no plans to switch before apparently changing their minds.
The helicopter has been on stand-by at the museum this week - and was airborne just 90 seconds after an emergency call came in on Tuesday.
Museum spokesman Ian Richardson said: "It is quite a major coup for the museum. It recognises the infrastructure in place and the levels of service we can provide here."
Chris Day, of the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service, said: "It makes sense, as it is a reasonably central point in North Yorkshire, with good access to the coast and the North York Moors.
"One of the issues with Leeds Bradford is that it is quite a high base and cloud cover can be a problem."
It has also been learned that the ambulance service has reached an agreement with military chiefs to use bases at RAF Leeming and Dishforth for the helicopter.
Mr Day said: "We are working with the RAF to establish more new bases in North Yorkshire. Leeming is our first choice because of the excellent facilities it has.
"The Army has been very kind to offer us their support."
The air ambulance service took to the skies last October and is equipped to deal with a variety of emergency situations.
It will be able to take advantage of lower fuel costs at Leeming and Dishforth because of an arrangement between the RAF and the National Association of Air Ambulances.
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OOps! Most of what you said is accurate enough however you never addressed the fact that there are so few of your wonderful SAR assets available. They are also slow and too big for most Air amb tasks. Their downwash may well force the aircraft to land well short of any rta due to fod and dirt being blown over the already injured. As for free?