ARGUMENT

One of the main arguments in favour of bringing the hoped-for second charity air ambulance to the north-east is the creation of a new emergency unit in Aberdeen.

Controversy has surrounded delays affecting the major trauma centre, but the government recently said it was on track to open this autumn.

It will deliver specialist trauma care to people who have suffered critical injuries in accidents, and is expected to save 40 lives a year when up and running. The centre will include rehabilitation support services to help patients with significant injuries recover more quickly.

Ministers initially promised the trauma network between Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh – which would cost an initial £30million and treat an estimated 6,000 patients a year – would be operational by the end of 2016.

However, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in 2017 the government was taking time to “make sure we are getting it right”, and released an extra £5million to speed up the process.

North East Labour MSP, Lewis Macdonald, has campaigned for the fast delivery of the centre and last night stated the case for the air ambulance to serve it.

He said: “The charity air ambulance is a fantastic resource, and it would be great to have a second aircraft based in the northeast. When the major trauma centre is launched in October, it will be all the more important to have the shortest possible journey times for emergency patients travelling to Foresterhill from across the north-east, Highlands and islands, and offshore. The second charity air ambulance being based in Aberdeen would make a big difference.”

“The charity air ambulance is a fantastic resource”