§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the funding of Essex Air Ambulance. [187966]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonMinisters received one letter from the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) in September 2004, one letter from my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) in September 2004, one letter from the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) in August 2004 and one letter from the hon. Member for Billericay (Mr. Baron) in September 2002, all regarding the funding of Essex Air Ambulance.
§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has given regarding the funding of air ambulances; and if he will make a statement. [187967]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonPrevious research in the early 1990s did not demonstrate that the benefits of helicopter ambulances in terms of outcomes for patients were sufficient to justify investment in these services by the national health service. The Department has since commissioned primary research to examine the role and effectiveness of air ambulance services in the modern NHS. The conclusions from the first stage can be found at www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/mcru/reports/HEASrev.pdf. In light of the findings, the Department is currently considering further research.
The Department has advised that the NHS should meet the cost of clinical staff on air ambulances.