Air Ambulance Hopes For Extended Cover
February 20, 2007 12:28 PM
Local MPs Julia Goldsworthy and Andrew George have met with representatives of Cornwall Air Ambulance to discuss the possibility of extending the service cover beyond the current ten hour shift.
Although the Air Ambulance managers believe they could provide an extended service, they are prevented from doing so as current rules mean that the charity is not allowed to pay the wages of paramedics. Since April 2002, the costs of clinical staff have been met from NHS funds and with ongoing pressures on its finances there is currently no money available to employ extra paramedics.
Ms Goldsworthy and Mr George have written to Government health ministers asking them to provide greater flexibility of funding, allowing Cornwall Air Ambulance to set up a trial to extend its service.
Commenting, Ms Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne, said:
"Cornwall's Air Ambulance provides a valuable service and I welcome this opportunity of exploring ways of extending the service.
"The Air Ambulance trust believes that it could increase the service it provides and it is a great shame that current funding rules make this difficult. I have written to the Secretary of State for Health and have tabled Parliamentary Questions, asking her to meet with representatives from the Air Ambulance to discuss ways of addressing the problem.
"By opening this dialogue, I hope that we can make progress so that Cornwall Air Ambulance can provide an extended service that would benefit the people of Cornwall."
Mr Andrew George MP added:
"Evening and night time air ambulance services are provided through the 771 Squadron Search and Rescue service based at Culdrose. They, of course, do an excellent job, though the Government is threatening to privatise this service by 2012.
"The most recent Government thinking suggests that, in future, patients will have to travel further to fewer and remoter specialist A&E centres, so the development of the Air Ambulance will be essential if places like Cornwall are not to be given third rate casualty services.
Cont'd
"The Government's National Director for Emergency Access - Professor Sir George Alberti - has confirmed to me recently (see attached letter, 8th paragraph) that this is part of the plan. So I hope Ministers are listening."
LaVerne Caddy, Trustee PR Representative of Cornwall Air Ambulance said:
"Cornwall Air Ambulance provides a unique service to the people of Cornwall and we are keen to make it even better.
"Greater flexibility of funding would allow us to offer an extended service and ultimately save more lives."
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