Flying into a new era

North West Air Ambulance (NWAA) is welcoming onboard its own paramedics as it flies into a new era.

It will take over full responsibility for operation and staffing of its two helicopters under a deal struck with ambulance bosses.

Currently, paramedics on the life-saving helicopters are seconded from the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

But this will change from 1 April as the charity recruits and trains its own air paramedics.

The helicopters have been called on countless times to come to the rescue in and around Rochdale.

They have a maximum flying time of 10 minutes to the nearest appropriate hospital anywhere in the North West — a crucial fast response time in aiding a patient’s chances of survival and speed of recovery.

NWAA chief executive Lynda Brislin said: “For the public, there will be no change, they will continue to receive the very best in emergency care. For us, it is a new era as we can more easily manage our day-to-day operations in-house.”

Staff currently seconded to the air ambulance will be released to return to operational duties at the end of March.

Paramedics will have the opportunity to apply for secondment for one to two years to operate as air paramedics.

NWAS deputy chief executive Bob Williams said: “I would like to thank all the staff in the ambulance service involved in operating and fund raising.

“I am sure the helicopters will continue to work in harmony alongside the ambulance service to provide an excellent service.”

It costs almost £3 million a year to keep the helicopters — based at Blackpool and Manchester airports — flying and the vast majority of the money is raised by donations.

Visit www.nwaa.net or call 0800-587 4570 to donate.