RELIEF AS AIR AMBULANCE BASES SAVED
TWO Wales Air Ambulance bases that were set to close are to remain open for at least three years.
The charity had previously announced proposals to close two bases but has announced a new partnership that will keep its Caernarfon and Welshpool bases operational until at least 2026.
The announcement comes following the charity’s new partnership with Gama Aviation Plc who have successfully won a bid for a seven-year contract to provide aviation services to the air ambulance in Wales, starting on 1 January 2024. The Gama contract, valued at £65 million, includes the operation and maintenance of a primary fleet of four Airbus H145 helicopters, operating from the charity’s Welsh sites.
The announcement follows months of uncertainty as the Air Ambulance considered plans to centralise operations at one site in northeast Wales in the face of fierce opposition from rural communities in Gwynedd and mid Wales. Several public meetings were organised, debates were held in the Senedd, and thousands of signatures were collected on petitions, calling for the service to be safeguarded in Caernarfon and Welshpool.
In a joint statement, Liz Saville Roberts MP, Mabon ap
Gwynfor MS (Dwyfor Meirionnydd) and Hywel Williams MP and Sian Gwenllian MS (Arfon) said: “This is great news. Huge congratulations to everyone across northwest and mid Wales involved in the campaign, who worked so hard to persuade the Air Ambulance charity to maintain operations at Caernarfon and Welshpool.
“The Wales Air Ambulance is dear to us all, and that is why we approached this situation as critical friends, whilst ensuring that the specific concerns of far-toreach communities such as Pen Llyn and south Meirionnydd were heard. The Wales Air Ambulance service has proven itself to be crucial to communities in northwest and mid Wales and the level of public engagement as concerns surfaced about its future, reflected how valued this service really is.
“The Air Ambulance pushes the boundaries in medicine to save the lives of critically injured and seriously ill people across Wales every day. We would like to thank all those who have contributed to this campaign, particularly those who have directly benefited from the lifesaving work of the Air Ambulance and chose to share their experiences with us.
“Over the years, people have raised thousands of pounds to help keep this vital service flying and we would encourage everyone if they can, to get involved with the Air Ambulance and continue to support this vital service.” Plaid Cymru Powys County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan added: “Excellent news that the Welshpool Air Ambulance base is secure until at least 2026.
“The proposal to close it and Caernarfon was ill thought out, the data didn’t stack up and was clouded in secrecy. This success shows the importance of detailed scrutiny, challenging those in power and running a campaign.
“Can I thank all that have been involved and supported in ensuring this valuable service continues to serve Mid and north Wales.”
Rhun ap Iorwerth, Member of the Senedd for Ynys Mon and Plaid Cymru spokesperson on health and care, said: “I welcome today’s announcement that our Air Ambulance’s bases at Caernarfon and Welshpool will remain open until at least 2026, and thank all the campaigners who have worked tirelessly to reach this point. Now it’s important that we continue to make the case that there is a need for the charity’s four bases, in the four different parts of Wales, to remain open permanently.
“The Air Ambulance means so much to all of us, and we can continue to support it financially, knowing it provides the best possible service to all areas in Wales, particularly our rural areas that are so reliant on it.”