A new air ambulance is due to take to the skies to save lives next year.
Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance has announced it will be taking delivery of a new helicopter next summer, an AgustaWestland AW169, subject to satisfactory completion of contract negotiations.
The AW169 aircraft will replace their current MD902 Explorer, which Specialist Aviation Services provides and operates on their behalf.
The new helicopter will provide many benefits for the service’s crew and patients, including a significantly larger cabin which will offer space for an additional person if required, such as a crew member, doctor, or relative of the patient.
The larger cabin of the AW169 will also give the air ambulance’s medics improved 360 degree access to patients.
The new aircraft’s speed and flight capability will also enhance their operation by enabling the crew to get to incidents faster, and to fly for longer.
Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance’s CEO Peter Aldrick says: “We plan to continue to enhance the services we are able to provide to the people of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
“We introduced a night service with our very capable MD Explorer three years ago.
“We are now looking for our doctors and paramedics to be able to deal with a wider range of patient cases and we are very much looking forward to doing this with the new AW169.”
As part of the charity’s fundraising strategy, the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance Charitable Trust is continually reviewing potential increases in operational demands and expenditure.
In 2016, with this upgraded helicopter, and the provision for additional doctors on board, the charity estimates the annual operational costs will increase to around £2.2 million.
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