HC Deb 03 December 1991 vol 200 cc131-2
4. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many area health authorities now have (a) part-time and (b) full-time use of helicopters for air ambulance; and what advice his Department gives to area health authorities on the desirability of these services.

Mr. Dorrell

Several ambulance services now use helicopters. It is the view of the regional ambulance officers' group that further development of air ambulances should await the outcome of the current evaluation of helicopter ambulances.

Mr. Coombs

I am sure that the research being undertaken will show that air ambulances are a useful contributor to paramedical facilities within health authorities. However, will my hon. Friend consider the impact on residents in areas close to the landing pads for helicopters providing such services? Will he also consider the difficulties being experienced by some of my constituents in Swindon, who have a helicopter landing pad only 20 yds away from their back fence? That has been provided because it does not require planning permission. No doubt it is to the benefit of patients, but it is by no means to the benefit of residents.

Mr. Dorrell

My hon. Friend raises an important matter. The local ambulance service in Wiltshire is to be congratulated on the innovative proposal that it has introduced—sharing the cost of a helicopter ambulance between the health authority and the police service. However, when a helicopter lands it can cause a disturbance to local residents. The health authority has recognised that and has sought an alternative and more convenient landing pad. Unfortunately, it did not get approval from the Civil Aviation Authority. I am sure that that issue is not dead and that the health authority will continue to look for more appropriate landing facilities.

Mr. Kennedy

Is the Minister aware of the broad welcome that has been given to the development of such a service in various parts of the country? Is he further aware of the important contribution that it can make in large and more geographically remote areas, as it allows casualty access to larger regional hospitals in the event of mountaineering or road accident emergencies?

Will the Minister examine how the system is working at the weekends? I gather that in some areas, where facilities are usually available from Monday to Friday, the lack of weekend facilities is causing anxiety. That is especially true for travelling, mountaineering and similar accidents, when weekends may be times of maximum need.

Mr. Dorrell

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. The patients charter sets out clearly the entitlement of a patient and the standard we seek to set for ambulance services. The charter does not specify 14 minutes in urban areas and 19 minutes in rural areas during weekdays; it sets that standard for seven days a week, 365 days of the year. It is the responsibility of the regional ambulance officer to deliver that standard to all the people living in his district.