Yorkshire Air Ambulance
| Location | Leeds Bradford Airport, Detachment Bagby Airport, Thirsk |
|---|---|
| Focus | MedEVAC |
Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a dedicated helicopter emergency service for the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It was introduced on 1 April 2000, and currently operates two aircraft. The helicopters provide a swift response time and access to isolated locations, such as beaches, cliff-tops and moorland areas which are inaccessible by road. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is maintained by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Trust, a registered charity.
Its original aircraft is based at Leeds Bradford Airport and has landing pads at various major hospitals around the region including Leeds General Infirmary and James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. In October 2007 a second helicopter based at Sheffield City Airport entered service.[1] The airport closed at the end of April 2008 but a heliport facility was still provided for the use of the Air Ambulance and the South Yorkshire Police helicopter.[2] In November 2010 the operational base for the Sheffield-based aircraft was moved to Bagby Airport near Thirsk.[3]
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[edit] Operations
One helicopter (Helimed 99, registration G-SASH) is based at a hangar at Leeds Bradford Airport (EGNM), which enables servicing and maintenance to be carried out overnight, leading to even quicker response times in many parts of the county. It can be airborne in two minutes of a 999 call and flies at 140 mph (230 km/h) enabling fast paramedic support to the patient.
The second YAA helicopter (Helimed 98, registration G-CEMS) was originally based at Sheffield City Airport but moved in November 2010 to Bagby Airport near Thirsk. A spokesman for the charity commented: "What we're looking to do is provide the very best coverage for the whole of Yorkshire, for the five million population.
"The people of Yorkshire are better served with an aircraft at Thirsk and one at Leeds Bradford."[3]
[edit] The aircraft
The first helicopter was a MD Helicopter MDH900 Explorer. The Explorer is used extensively in an air ambulance capacity throughout the UK. It has five rotor blades to ensure a smooth flight which can prove particularly beneficial for patients suffering head or spinal injuries. Twin turbine engines give it a cruising speed of 160 mph (260 km/h), and skid landing gear allows it to cope with all types of terrain. Its compact dimensions allow it to land in confined spaces, yet it has room to carry one stretcher patient. It contains all equipment found on any front-line ambulance plus other special items. Currently the charity uses two MD902 Explorer helicopters, updated versions of the original helicopter.
[edit] Cost and financing
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a charitable organization solely maintained by donations as it receives no form of official funding. Medical and paramedic staff, however, are provided by the National Health Service. The resident population and visitors to Yorkshire finance the Air Ambulance by donations, and various fund-raising events. All donations received are administered by Yorkshire Air Ambulance Donation Office.
[edit] Richard Hammond's incident 2006
In September 2006 the original helicopter was involved in transporting the Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond following his high-speed accident at the former-RAF Elvington airfield near York. Following this operation a high profile charity appeal was launched, by 16 October contributions to the appeal have so far amounted to £185,770, although payment authorisation of one donation of £50,000 was "declined".[4]
[edit] Hospital landing pads
- Castle Hill Hospital Kingston upon Hull
- Leeds General Infirmary Leeds
- Scarborough General Hospital Scarborough
- James Cook University Hospital Middlesbrough
[edit] T.V. programme
The Air Ambulance is also the subject of BBC One programme Helicopter Heroes, which follows the crew during a typical working day.
[edit] Sponsorship
They were the kit sponsor of Huddersfield Town F.C. for the 2009-10 season.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Second Air Ambulance is launched". BBC News Online. BBC. 2007-10-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/7061293.stm. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
- ^ "£100m airport plan to create jobs". BBC News Online. BBC. 2008-02-08. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/7235454.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
- ^ a b "Yorkshire Air Ambulance to move from Sheffield base". BBC News Online. BBC. 2010-11-01. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11667442. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
- ^ "Why the Hammond fundraising total dropped". Justgiving blog. http://justgiving.typepad.com/justgivings_blog/2006/09/richard_hammond.html. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
[edit] External links
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