WALES’ FAB FOUR ARE FLYING HIGH
WALES’ newest air ambulance visited the service’s North Wales base this week on a familiarisation flight.
The fourth helicopter in the fleet will make the Wales Air Ambulance service the biggest air ambulance operation in the UK. It will be based in Cardiff and will enable the service to accept more missions to help save lives across the country.
Since its launch in 2001, Wales Air Ambulance has completed 24,000 flights across the country. Its current fleet of three red and green Eurocopter EC135 helicopters operate from bases in Caernarfon, Welshpool and Llanelli and provide air cover for life-threatening, life-changing and time-critical illness or injury.
Its medical crews, seconded from NHS Wales, provide pioneering treatments and work with other emergency agencies and hospitals in Wales.
Last month the newest helicopter was used for training and will become operational within the Wales Air Ambulance fleet this month.
The charity receives no government funding. It relies on public donations to keep the helicopters flying. Each mission costs on average £1,500 and it needs to raise £6m annually to stay in the air.
Wales Air Ambulance chief executive Angela Hughes said: “It is a lot of money, but it is worth its weight in gold. I know there are people alive today who would not be if the air ambulance had not been able to get them to a trauma centre quickly.”
Farming incidents make up around 120 missions each year across Wales, and tend to be the most serious cases the aircraft and its crews respond to along with road traffic accidents. The combination of serious trauma and remote locations makes the air ambulance a vital service for places like rural Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire.
Ms Hughes added: “It’s always been our vision to expand our fleet so we can help more patients, and to have a base in Cardiff.
“Subject to a successful six-month trial period, the fourth helicopter and satellite base will become a permanent resource for Wales Air Ambulance.”
The organisation has charity shops across Wales, regular fundraising events and a popular lottery.
More information at walesairambulance.com HE sight of two Wales Air Ambulances parked side-by-side at Caernarfon Airport excited many visitors to the base.
Some thought a major incident had occurred in the area but staff were quick to point out the aircraft and its pilot, Capt James Grenfell, was on a familiarisation visit to the airport from the service’s new base at Cardiff.
As part of the training the former police pilot, who has also flown helicopters in Los Angeles and Las Vegas before returning to Wales, offered to take the Daily Post on a short flight along the Menai Strait.
Climbing onboard my first impression was how small the Eurocopter EC135 is inside.
The front seat is normally taken by a paramedic who assists with navigation and finding a suitable spot to land during an emergency flight.
I was sat in this seat and I had plenty of leg room.
But it’s often a different story in the rear cabin as this is the space where the doctor, critical care practitioner, the patient and sometimes their relatives have to share during emergency missions.
After ensuring I was strapped into the seat in a four-point harness, James started the twin-engine helicopter, lifted off and turned towards the east and the Menai Strait.
The water was very busy with pleasure craft as we flew along at a speed of 150mph - 500 feet above the ground - towards the Menai bridges.
Although he will be based in Cardiff, James may have to fly to Ysbyty Gwynedd or the two other North Wales general hospitals to pick up seriously ill patients for transfer to Cardiff’s University hospital if either the Caernarfon or Welshpool helicopters are not available.
Approaching Bangor, he quickly spotted the hospital site and the helipad which is located on its southern side.
Although the landing pad at the hospital is purpose built with a windsock, finding a spot to land on a mission is one of the first tasks on scene.
And as you imagine, the helicopter has a very limited area in which to land.
Recently I saw an air ambulance land on a school playground so that a doctor and paramedic could get as close as possible to an injured boy.
Further along our route, the town of Beaumaris was bathed in summer sunshine.
James made a wide sweep of Ynys Seiriol before returning down the Strait.
He was most impressed with the view of the two bridges and Plas Newydd and put the aircraft into a hover to allow photos to be taken.
The approach was made back to Caernarfon Airport via a circuit of the town’s castle.
During life saving missions, the crew of the Wales Air Ambulance rarely have time to admire the fantastic views of North Wales.
It’s comforting to know the service is expanding and it is really important that we don’t take it for granted.