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Night flights planned for air ambulance
Flying high: Air Ambulance
The charity behind the region’s air ambulances has announced plans to operate 24 hours a day, it has been revealed.
To mark National Air Ambulance Week, the North West Air Ambulance Charity has launched a charter – showing its commitment to the future of the service.
It states that by 2016 the charity will operate a 24/7 service with helicopters to support the population during the hours of darkness.
And if required, it will increase its fleet of helicopters to ensure people get the help they need.
Currently, the two North West Air Ambulances, one of which is based at the Royal Preston Hospital, only operate during daylight hours.
The air ambulance moved to the city’s hospital last month, from its previous base at Blackpool Airport.
The Royal Preston Hospital was chosen as a new base because of its status as the Major Trauma Centre for the area.
And the second helicopter moved from City Airport Manchester - known as Barton Aerodrome - to Wythenshawe Hospital.
Now A&E doctors are able to travel on board to serious incidents which require specialist clinical care at the scene and the helicopters land at helipads at the trauma hospitals.
Lynda Brislin, chief executive of the North West Air Ambulance Charity said: “While we help over 12,00 people who are in real need each year, there is still more we can do.
“Our two helicopters currently only operate in daylight hours and there is a need to have doctors on every flight, which is a service we’ve launched earlier this month.
“We are dedicated to delivering all of our commitments by 2016 to help save the vital minutes that may save lives, but as a charity, developments of this nature come at a significant cost and would not be possible without the support and generosity of the North West public.”
The charter also states that everyflight will continue to be manned by a pilot, a paramedic and a doctor, all of whom can give life-saving drugs and clinical support at the scene of the incident
And it vows to constantly adapt to the ever-changing healthcare technologies and techniques, and will work together with its partners to be the best service it can be.
The North West Air Ambulance Charity’s life-saving service helps over 1,200 people across the region each year
And it needs to raise in excess of £4.2m each year in order to keep its two air ambulances flying and saving lives.
For more information, or to donate to the charity, visit www.nwaa.net.
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Weather for Preston
Sunday 19 May 2013
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Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
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