Surrey Air Ambulance
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Surrey Air Ambulance
I've heard through the rumour mill that the Kent Air Ambulance Trust has secured an MD902 for future ops in and around the Surrey and Sussex area.
Does anyone happen to know the reg or serial of the "new" heli in its previous guise? I do know that it is going to MAS in Staverton for a refit for all the medical equipment at some point, so if anyone could get some pics that would be great!
I have heard that it'll be up and running around April and based at Dunsfold for the time being but maybe perminantly if all goes well.
Jim
Does anyone happen to know the reg or serial of the "new" heli in its previous guise? I do know that it is going to MAS in Staverton for a refit for all the medical equipment at some point, so if anyone could get some pics that would be great!
I have heard that it'll be up and running around April and based at Dunsfold for the time being but maybe perminantly if all goes well.
Jim
Last edited by cptjim; 6th Jan 2007 at 13:21. Reason: Changed incorrect info!
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NO !
I hear that G-WMID will be at PAS next week for its Annual Inspection ( should anyone happen to spot it in the hangar ).
However - it WILL be returning to West Mids for continued Police ops !
How about G-EHMS ??
I hear that G-WMID will be at PAS next week for its Annual Inspection ( should anyone happen to spot it in the hangar ).
However - it WILL be returning to West Mids for continued Police ops !
How about G-EHMS ??
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I don't think it'll be G-EHMS as they have only just had the annual and the thruster cone extension done. I know HEMS London were looking at getting an EC 145 but are staying put for the time being due to poor funding.
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FloaterNorthWest,
It could well be G-WMID, I know that West Midlands new 135 is at Oxford at the moment being modded, but I am not sure whether they have managed to pass on the 900 yet!
It could well be G-WMID, I know that West Midlands new 135 is at Oxford at the moment being modded, but I am not sure whether they have managed to pass on the 900 yet!
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Surrey will be using G-PASH http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search
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Does anyone know what is going to happen to the current Sussex Police/Air Ambulance operation? Presumably there will not be enough work or funding to allow it to continue in addition to a dedicated air ambulance operating in the same area.
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Hi Shadowfax,
Are you sure it's G-PASH? I was definately told it was an MD902 by my very reliable source. I know they used G-PASH (AS355 F1) to promote the launch of the Surrey appeal (they used G-SASH, MD902, now the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, for the launch of the Sussex appeal). In the past G-PASH has always been used as a back up for police and HEMS work by Specialst Aviation Services.
Best regards
Jim
Are you sure it's G-PASH? I was definately told it was an MD902 by my very reliable source. I know they used G-PASH (AS355 F1) to promote the launch of the Surrey appeal (they used G-SASH, MD902, now the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, for the launch of the Sussex appeal). In the past G-PASH has always been used as a back up for police and HEMS work by Specialst Aviation Services.
Best regards
Jim
Last edited by cptjim; 8th Jan 2007 at 14:03. Reason: Kan't spell!!
Their new website (http://www.sussexairambulance.co.uk/) certainly implies that it will be an MD902. No details on reg though...
It also confirms that it will be operational as of April 2007 from Dunsford.
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You can't just leave it at that!! 
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Helinut,
I cannot see what is "dangerous" about my assumption. I believe that Sussex Ambulance Service provide 25% of the funding to the current joint police/air ambulance operation. It is highly unlikely that they will continue to provide this money if there is a separate dedicated air ambulance operating in the same area. The shortage of money within the British National Health Service (NHS) is already well known.
If that 25% funding is removed, then Sussex Police are going to have to increase their contribution by about the same amount, in order to continue the operation as a dedicated police air support unit. How are they going to find that money when the British Home Office has already indicated its intention to substantially reduce the central government funding to police services in the 2008/9 financial year?
I think that would be a rather dangerous assumption.
If that 25% funding is removed, then Sussex Police are going to have to increase their contribution by about the same amount, in order to continue the operation as a dedicated police air support unit. How are they going to find that money when the British Home Office has already indicated its intention to substantially reduce the central government funding to police services in the 2008/9 financial year?
Last edited by Skidkid; 9th Jan 2007 at 18:49. Reason: Spelling error
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Heard it was nearer 40% funding form the Air Ambulance side. Also heard and it is only a rumor at the moment that possible link up between Sussex and Surrey for Police Op's. Anybody else heard anything ?
Anybody is allowed to change their mind, but WMID has said that they intend to fly both aircraft for the forseeable future. They are coy about whether this is forever or just until the market on the MD recovers a bit and gives them a decent price. WMID would not fit the timescale that both Yorkshire and Kent/Sussex appear to be talking up. With UK air ambulances falling over themselves for the 902 that recovery may be soonish in UK terms!
AVAILABILITY
There is/was an ex-German 900/902 at PAS that they have had for a while and allegedly a few lying unused in the Far East that may fit the bill. Whether that one at PAS is a flyer or not I do not know. Suffolk County Police in the US had a couple of EMS role equipped machines on offer... and I hear that the KLPD has a hostage 900 in their hangar in Holland!
Whatever the final result both Kent and Yorkshire each seem to have their eyes on something substantive so I guess they are sure will come into the UK within weeks.
AVAILABILITY
There is/was an ex-German 900/902 at PAS that they have had for a while and allegedly a few lying unused in the Far East that may fit the bill. Whether that one at PAS is a flyer or not I do not know. Suffolk County Police in the US had a couple of EMS role equipped machines on offer... and I hear that the KLPD has a hostage 900 in their hangar in Holland!
Whatever the final result both Kent and Yorkshire each seem to have their eyes on something substantive so I guess they are sure will come into the UK within weeks.
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PANews - the German reg'd one at PAS was roaded back out to Germany (to a different Police force) in the last 14 days.
Shadowfax - PASH was merely used for a one-off PR event to launch the fund-raising at Brooklands Museum many months ago.
Shadowfax - PASH was merely used for a one-off PR event to launch the fund-raising at Brooklands Museum many months ago.
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Re. your dangerous assumption.
Skidkid,
Just to clarify a few points for you.
1. Sussex Ambulance Service does not exist anymore. It is now part of the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB).
2. SECAMB is committed to supporting the joint Sussex Police/HEMS unit. It is the only resource in the South East capable of night HEMS operations.
3. The Sussex aircraft will continue to work closely with both the new unit and the existing Kent Air Ambulance, providing complimentary cover during the day and sole cover at night.
There are some that would say that the Sussex Police model is close to ideal:
1. Police get help funding their aircraft.
2. With the Paramedic fulfilling the role of the second Air Observer, fewer bobbies are taken off the beat.
3. The Ambulance Service gets a night capable HEMS asset.
4. En route to an incident the aircraft can use Police weather limits to deliver a Paramedic in worse conditions than the dedicated Air Ambulance.
5. The Police helicopter is generally an under used asset (with obvious exceptions!) so sharing it with the Ambulance Service increases it's productivity.
And to the sceptical:
1. I have never known an incident when there has been conflict between the Police and HEMS roles. The Police Officer's core responsibility is preservation of life.
2. The Paramedics go through a thorough selection procedure and Observer training course. They are every bit as capable in the Observer role as any Police Officer.
3. It's the most fun a pilot can have with his trousers on. You can chase the car until it crashes then land to save the little sh**'s life.
Just to clarify a few points for you.
1. Sussex Ambulance Service does not exist anymore. It is now part of the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB).
2. SECAMB is committed to supporting the joint Sussex Police/HEMS unit. It is the only resource in the South East capable of night HEMS operations.
3. The Sussex aircraft will continue to work closely with both the new unit and the existing Kent Air Ambulance, providing complimentary cover during the day and sole cover at night.
There are some that would say that the Sussex Police model is close to ideal:
1. Police get help funding their aircraft.
2. With the Paramedic fulfilling the role of the second Air Observer, fewer bobbies are taken off the beat.
3. The Ambulance Service gets a night capable HEMS asset.
4. En route to an incident the aircraft can use Police weather limits to deliver a Paramedic in worse conditions than the dedicated Air Ambulance.
5. The Police helicopter is generally an under used asset (with obvious exceptions!) so sharing it with the Ambulance Service increases it's productivity.
And to the sceptical:
1. I have never known an incident when there has been conflict between the Police and HEMS roles. The Police Officer's core responsibility is preservation of life.
2. The Paramedics go through a thorough selection procedure and Observer training course. They are every bit as capable in the Observer role as any Police Officer.
3. It's the most fun a pilot can have with his trousers on. You can chase the car until it crashes then land to save the little sh**'s life.
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Trolleys,
Many thanks, that has answered my question nicely. You are obviously directly involved with the unit and are having a lot of fun. Best of luck to everyone there for the future.
Many thanks, that has answered my question nicely. You are obviously directly involved with the unit and are having a lot of fun. Best of luck to everyone there for the future.