Air Ambulance/Abwilans Services

[muppetdave]

Something I keep thinking about each time I hear something about an Air Ambulance - and particularly their constant fundraising to remain operational, is why are the government not providing these services?

As far as I can see, they offer a fantastic service and save many lives. The only reason I can think that there is not central funding for this service is that perhaps the number of lives saved versus the financial cost is disproportionate when compared to perhaps putting 10 more ambulance crews on the road (figures plucked from the air).

Anyone care to enlighten me?

[staceyb]

Government funding = politics.

[Cock Womble 7]

muppetdave said:

Anyone care to enlighten me?

Same story as with the RNLI - They don't want government support; as it would bring with it red tape and limitless bureaucracy.

[muppetdave]

Ah fair point - hadn't looked at it that way. But turning the question around, is there no benefit in an NHS based air ambulance service? Or is that in the too-difficult box?

[Cock Womble 7]

muppetdave said:

Ah fair point - hadn't looked at it that way. But turning the question around, is there no benefit in an NHS based air ambulance service? Or is that in the too-difficult box?

An NHS-run Air Ambulance would need a ethnic diversity steering group, a cost/benefit analysis team, a full risk assessment, a gay/lesbian sub-commitee, an out-reach co-ordinator, 15 'Service Managers' and a catchy new slogan that reflects its role in the modern, forward-thinking NHS before the rotors were even allowed to turn.

[chim]

Cock Womble 7 said:

muppetdave said:

Ah fair point - hadn't looked at it that way. But turning the question around, is there no benefit in an NHS based air ambulance service? Or is that in the too-difficult box?

An NHS-run Air Ambulance would need a ethnic diversity steering group, a cost/benefit analysis team, a full risk assessment, a gay/lesbian sub-commitee, an out-reach co-ordinator, 15 'Service Managers' and a catchy new slogan that reflects its role in the modern, forward-thinking NHS before the rotors were even allowed to turn.

Don't forget, they would also need a range of helicopters developed in order to accommodate any potential disabled pilots that applied for the Job.

Interview

NHS Hiring Manager : "So you want to be a pilot"
Candidate "yes"
NHS "can I just point out a slight problem.
Candidate "yes, no problem"
NHS "well, its just that you appear to have no arms"
Candidate "And, are you discriminating against me due to my disability"
NHS ""No of course not, sir. You are perfect for the Job, just give us a month and we will get the million pound refit carried out to the Helicopter"

Edited by chim on Monday 6th September 10:27

[Petrolhead_Rich]

chim said:

Cock Womble 7 said:

muppetdave said:

Ah fair point - hadn't looked at it that way. But turning the question around, is there no benefit in an NHS based air ambulance service? Or is that in the too-difficult box?

An NHS-run Air Ambulance would need a ethnic diversity steering group, a cost/benefit analysis team, a full risk assessment, a gay/lesbian sub-commitee, an out-reach co-ordinator, 15 'Service Managers' and a catchy new slogan that reflects its role in the modern, forward-thinking NHS before the rotors were even allowed to turn.

Don't forget, they would also need a range of helicopters developed in order to accommodate any potential disabled pilots that applied for the Job.

Interview

NHS Hiring Manager : "So you want to be a pilot"
Candidate "yes"
NHS "can I just point out a slight problem.
Candidate "yes, no problem"
NHS "well, its just that you appear to have no arms"
Candidate "And, are you discriminating against me due to my disability"
NHS ""No of course not, sir. You are perfect for the Job, just give us a month and we will get the million pound refit carried out to the Helicopter"

Edited by chim on Monday 6th September 10:27

surely its more that the NHS/Government sees the service being funded fine as it is, so why would they bother?

Defiantly a cause worth supporting IMO however.

[Cock Womble 7]

chim said:

"...just give us a month and we will get the million pound refit carried out to the Helicopter"

And translate all the cockpit instructions and instruments into Urdu, Punjabi and Mandarin Chinese.

[Taffer]

The Scottish Ambulance Service gets government funding to run two EC135 choppers and two King Air turboprops. The aircraft are run and crewed by contractors (Bond Helicopters and Gama Aviation) so they fall outside of any NHS BS - don't know about regulations for the doctors and paramedics though.

Edited by Taffer on Monday 6th September 11:46

[rhinochopig]

Cock Womble 7 said:

muppetdave said:

Ah fair point - hadn't looked at it that way. But turning the question around, is there no benefit in an NHS based air ambulance service? Or is that in the too-difficult box?

An NHS-run Air Ambulance would need a ethnic diversity steering group, a cost/benefit analysis team, a full risk assessment, a gay/lesbian sub-commitee, an out-reach co-ordinator, 15 'Service Managers' and a catchy new slogan that reflects its role in the modern, forward-thinking NHS before the rotors were even allowed to turn.

That said, some of them could do with a bit of that. They can self task, and in some instances have proved to be a nuisance - turning up to "help" and getting in the way of the Seaking about to rescue to injured party.

Having had cause to need one personally, I think they're a great asset and always put some coin in their tins, but they can be a bit of a law unto themselves at times.

[chim]

rhinochopig said:

Cock Womble 7 said:

muppetdave said:

Ah fair point - hadn't looked at it that way. But turning the question around, is there no benefit in an NHS based air ambulance service? Or is that in the too-difficult box?

An NHS-run Air Ambulance would need a ethnic diversity steering group, a cost/benefit analysis team, a full risk assessment, a gay/lesbian sub-commitee, an out-reach co-ordinator, 15 'Service Managers' and a catchy new slogan that reflects its role in the modern, forward-thinking NHS before the rotors were even allowed to turn.

That said, some of them could do with a bit of that. They can self task, and in some instances have proved to be a nuisance - turning up to "help" and getting in the way of the Seaking about to rescue to injured party.

Having had cause to need one personally, I think they're a great asset and always put some coin in their tins, but they can be a bit of a law unto themselves at times.

Translation anyone?

[Taffer]

I'd imagine it means the RAF/RN Sea King preparing to winch a casualty/land being forced to take avoiding action because the Air Ambulance is encroaching on its airspace. While the Air Ambulances are great, the military and Coastguard SAR helicopters are far more capable when it comes to operating in less than favourable conditions.

[rhinochopig]

chim said:

rhinochopig said:

Cock Womble 7 said:

muppetdave said:

Ah fair point - hadn't looked at it that way. But turning the question around, is there no benefit in an NHS based air ambulance service? Or is that in the too-difficult box?

An NHS-run Air Ambulance would need a ethnic diversity steering group, a cost/benefit analysis team, a full risk assessment, a gay/lesbian sub-commitee, an out-reach co-ordinator, 15 'Service Managers' and a catchy new slogan that reflects its role in the modern, forward-thinking NHS before the rotors were even allowed to turn.

That said, some of them could do with a bit of that. They can self task, and in some instances have proved to be a nuisance - turning up to "help" and getting in the way of the Seaking about to rescue to injured party.

Having had cause to need one personally, I think they're a great asset and always put some coin in their tins, but they can be a bit of a law unto themselves at times.

Translation anyone?

As Taffer said. If they are quiet - e.g. not en route to an incident - they have the remit to attend an incident where they think they may be of assistance. In a few cases they have been more of a hindrance. There was an investigation following an episode of Helicopter Heroes where they were filmed doing a rope rescue of a person who'd fallen down a gully using a bit of gash rope they use to tie the rotors down with.

As I said though, don't get me wrong, I think they do an excellent job. I was commenting on CW7s statement about bureaucracy