Air Ambulance Northern Ireland

Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, also known as Air Ambulance NI is a Northern Irish registered charity that will operate an air medical service dedicated to responding to serious trauma emergencies in Northern Ireland.

In August 2016, it was announced by the Northern Irish government that Air Ambulance NI will partner with the health service in Northern Ireland to provide the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS). The charity will work in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide the aviation side of the service and fund the non-medical costs of HEMS.[1]

It will be primarily based at Belfast International Airport with a secondary base at St Angelo Airport in County Fermanagh. The helicopter will bear the call sign Delta 7 and it will land the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland's major trauma centre.[2]


History

Historically, Northern Ireland has been the only part of the United Kingdom without air ambulance provision and several previous attempts to introduce a HEMS service failed. In 2015, Dr John Hinds began a public campaign for Northern Ireland to have its own air ambulance.[3][4][5] In March 2016, the key findings of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service consultation were announced.[6] In August 2016, it was announced by the Northern Irish government that Air Ambulance NI will partner with the health service in Northern Ireland to provide the helicopter emergency medical service.[1]

Funding

In March 2016, Air Ambulance NI were successful in applying to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s banking fines fund, and were awarded £3.5million to establish and support the HEMS service in Northern Ireland. A further £1million in matched funding thereafter was also pledged. [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Charity partner for north's air ambulance service confirmed".
  2. ↑ "Air ambulance to be based at Belfast International Airport - BBC News".
  3. ↑ "We should have air ambulance like rest of UK, says crash medic". Belfast Telegraph. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  4. ↑ Connolly, Marie-Louise (6 June 2015). "Northern Ireland air ambulance 'necessity, not luxury' says medic". BBC News.
  5. ↑ Breen, Suzanne (16 June 2015). "We need our own air ambulance or lives will be lost, North West 200 doctor urges Health Minister". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  6. ↑ Scott, Sarah (21 March 2016). "Dr John Hinds' dream for Northern Ireland to get air ambulance takes another step forward on his birthday". www.belfastlive.co.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "NI air ambulance: Chancellor says £4m in banking fines will pay for service - BBC News".
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