Affiliation:
1. ST3 in Trauma and Orthopaedics, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2. Research Fellow, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
3. Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Abstract
The use of the air ambulance service (AAS) in the UK has shown a marked increase since it was first started in 1985. Currently, there are 16 dedicated helicopter emergency ambulance service (HEAS) providers operational across the country. Certain differences exist among these services with regard to the aircraft used (Bolkow 105, Squirrel, Dauphin), their ownership (leased, bought), crews (paramedical, medical), funding (public subscription, central funding), operators (health authority, ambulance services, police authorities, hospital trust), operational basis (for trauma only or all emergencies) and operating environment (metropolitan, urban, rural).
Publisher
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Subject
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering