The Royal United Hospital in Bath, Bristol’s Southmead Hospital, and Salisbury District Hospital were all placed in the amber category, which means they have limited access. The hospitals declined to comment.
Of all the hospitals in the West of England investigated by the APPG, only Great Western Hospital in Swindon was deemed to have entirely operational helipads available at any time of day.
The APPG, supported by air ambulance trusts around the country, is now calling for it to become a national NHS policy requirement for major trauma centres.
Currently no such requirement exists, meaning provision is determined locally and is impacted by budget constraints of different trusts and also planning laws governing noise and the “down-draft” – the air forced down by the propeller – of helicopters.
The report warned that air ambulances are frequently required to land off-site, requiring a further transfer to a land ambulance, costing both extra time and an additional expense of between £200 – £600 per incident.