New charity chopper based in Aberdeen

Scone-based Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) will house its new helicopter in Aberdeen.

The aircraft - call sign Helimed 79 - and its stablemate Helimed 76 operating out of Perth Airport will work alongside the two government-funded helicopters based at Glasgow and Inverness.

The decision to locate the helicopter at Aberdeen came after lengthy talks between SCAA and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

SCAA chairman John Bullough said: “Aberdeen will house one of Scotland’s four major trauma centres in the future network and it makes sense for Helimed 79 to add its considerable capability to that growing hub of emergency medical resources.

“With a second helicopter air ambulance service SCAA will further positively impact on the outcome for patients, ultimately saving and improving hundreds more lives every year.

“The fact that SCAA is looking to launch a second aircraft after only five years is a testament to the level of support and public engagement that we have received nationally. SCAA is entirely funded by charitable donations and the people of Scotland have funded each and every one of our nearly 2000 emergency responses to every corner of the country.”

Health secretary Jeane Freeman said: “SCAA carries out great work across Scotland, helping to save and improve lives every day. A second SCAA helicopter will make a huge difference.

“It is crucial that we ensure the most severely injured patients have the best chance of a speedy recovery.”