The APPG for Air Ambulances has called for round-the-clock safeguarded on-site helipad access across UK trauma centres, noting current shortages.
The All Party Parliamentary Group Members for Air Ambulances has responded to significant variation in hospital helipad provision across the UK by calling for safeguarded 24/7 on-site access at all Major Trauma Centres and specialist hospitals.
Its report found that of 43 UK hospital sites, over half (53%) are unable to consistently support full 24/7 on-site helipad access. Additionally, more than a third (37%) of sites either lack permanent on-site access altogether or don’t have an operational helipad. Seven hospitals which currently do, or within this current year will, also require a new helipad.
Lacking on-site access means air ambulances often have to land at secondary locations, which can delay critically ill or injured patients entering specialist care.
The report, released in parliament earlier in June, also recommends strengthened planning policy, consistent aviation safety standards and establishing a national contingency funding mechanism to support delivery where required.
“What’s needed now is clear national direction and coordination from government to ensure this gap is addressed comprehensively and consistently across the UK – so every patient has equitable access to life-saving care, regardless of location,” urged Mike McGrath, chief executive of Air Ambulances UK.
Air ambulance charities rely on the NHS’ infrastructure to complete their patients’ journeys into hospitals.
Typically, an air ambulance can reach someone in urgent need within 15 minutes, but they also depend on public donations towards pre-hospital emergency care, rather than government funding.
As such, 21 charities are now encouraging the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to come together to provide hospital helipads as standard in the NHS.
