Post by LPL on Sept 1, 2014 8:01:26 GMT 1
North West Air Ambulance announce plans to open helicopter base in Merseyside
PARAMEDICS may soon be able to reach Merseyside emergencies in quicker times after plans were submitted to base an air ambulance helicopter on Wirral.
The North West Air Ambulance has drawn up proposals to set up a station for their Helimed 75 in Seacombe.
As well as a helicopter and crew, the move would also see paramedics stationed on the site in a move the organisation hopes will improve its service for Merseyside.
The North West Air Ambulance Charity operates helicopters for the North West Ambulance Service, despatching crews to medical emergencies when requested.
Bosses at the charity say that if the relocation is given the green light the resources based in Seacombe will “focus primarily on the Merseyside area”.
The plans, which are expected to come before planning chiefs at Wirral council in the coming weeks, would see a helicopter, crew and paramedics based on East Street.
The site is owned by Peel Ports and is already used as a training centre for the emergency services.
Documents submitted to Wallasey town hall suggest no changes would be needed to the facility in order for it to accommodate the helicopter and crew.
Roger Kirkbride, head of finance at the North West Air Ambulance Charity, said: “The North West Air Ambulance Charity is committed to continuously enhancing the service and improving patient care, and therefore an application has been submitted to Wirral borough council for the shared use of an existing facility as an additional base for an emergency helicopter on the Wirral.
“By having an additional paramedic crew with a focus primarily in the Merseyside region, we can provide an even better service to those in need in the North West.
“We hope to have a decision on this planning application within the coming weeks.
“As a charity, developments of this nature come at a significant cost and would not be possible without the generosity of our supporters who are fundamental to keeping the service operational and helping to save lives.”
A North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman added the service would be “an asset to any area” if planning permission was granted.
He said: “NWAS most commonly uses the air ambulance at incidents such as road traffic collisions and in rural locations where accessibility may be a challenge.
“This is an extremely useful resource, particularly when we need to transport patients quickly to specialist centres and would be an asset to any area.”
PARAMEDICS may soon be able to reach Merseyside emergencies in quicker times after plans were submitted to base an air ambulance helicopter on Wirral.
The North West Air Ambulance has drawn up proposals to set up a station for their Helimed 75 in Seacombe.
As well as a helicopter and crew, the move would also see paramedics stationed on the site in a move the organisation hopes will improve its service for Merseyside.
The North West Air Ambulance Charity operates helicopters for the North West Ambulance Service, despatching crews to medical emergencies when requested.
Bosses at the charity say that if the relocation is given the green light the resources based in Seacombe will “focus primarily on the Merseyside area”.
The plans, which are expected to come before planning chiefs at Wirral council in the coming weeks, would see a helicopter, crew and paramedics based on East Street.
The site is owned by Peel Ports and is already used as a training centre for the emergency services.
Documents submitted to Wallasey town hall suggest no changes would be needed to the facility in order for it to accommodate the helicopter and crew.
Roger Kirkbride, head of finance at the North West Air Ambulance Charity, said: “The North West Air Ambulance Charity is committed to continuously enhancing the service and improving patient care, and therefore an application has been submitted to Wirral borough council for the shared use of an existing facility as an additional base for an emergency helicopter on the Wirral.
“By having an additional paramedic crew with a focus primarily in the Merseyside region, we can provide an even better service to those in need in the North West.
“We hope to have a decision on this planning application within the coming weeks.
“As a charity, developments of this nature come at a significant cost and would not be possible without the generosity of our supporters who are fundamental to keeping the service operational and helping to save lives.”
A North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman added the service would be “an asset to any area” if planning permission was granted.
He said: “NWAS most commonly uses the air ambulance at incidents such as road traffic collisions and in rural locations where accessibility may be a challenge.
“This is an extremely useful resource, particularly when we need to transport patients quickly to specialist centres and would be an asset to any area.”
