The Police are hoping to renew the lease on the helicopter for 5 years when it expires in December this year.

Attempts to gain commitment for a joint venture are not forthcoming from the Great Western NHS Ambulance Trust (GWAST). They only want to commit to one year and this is a problem for the Police.

Currently Wiltshire has a shared venture with the Police and is the only county that has 7 days coverage with 19 hours flying and the helicopter can reach anywhere in the county within 8 minutes. The 2 services share the costs, co-operate and support each other when on call outs but medical needs are given priority. The alternative being considered by GWAST is a dedicated Air Ambulance for the Great Western Trust, covering 3 counties and based possibly at Filton. This would not be a 24 hour operation and will not be available until a Charity is set up and money has been raised for the venture.

We need to hear from the people of Wiltshire. Do you want to keep our Air Ambulance? We will need to ask Great Western to relinquish the Trusteeship of our Charity and we will need to form our own Board of Trustees from Wiltshire residents.

If you support this idea, please either contact your MP, set up local petitions, contact your local papers and send letters to:

Tim Lynch
Chief Executive GWAST
Jenner House
Langley Park Estate
Chippenham
SN15 1GG

But, please, also send a copy to:

Air Support Unit
Police Headquarters
London Road
Devizes
SN10 2DN

Ann Levick
(Ex Non-Executive Director of Wiltshire Ambulance NHS Trust & Committee Member to advice GWAST on Wiltshire Air Ambulance)