The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) has joined air ambulance charities from across the country in shaping and supporting a new sector-wide manifesto launched by Air Ambulances UK – Critical Moments, Lifesaving Decisions – which calls on our government and partners to take urgent action to safeguard and strengthen lifesaving pre-hospital services.
The manifesto sets out four national policy priorities to ensure air ambulance charities, including TAAS, can continue to deliver lifesaving critical care:
- Safeguard and improve hospital helipad access
Ensure 24/7-ready on-site helipads at all UK Major Trauma Centres and specialist hospitals, prioritising upgrades at sites rated as high or medium concern. - Unlock access to patient data (PRANA)
Enable secure access to linked patient data so air ambulance charities can track outcomes, improve care, and support NHS integration. - Restore EGNOS temporarily for safer air ambulance missions
Temporarily re-join EGNOS to overcome weather and visibility issues, reducing delays or cancellations while the UK develops its own Satellite-Based Augmentation System. - Strengthen public understanding of air ambulance funding
Improve national messaging on the independent, charitable nature of the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities.
Jamie Ward, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Air Ambulances UK, said:
“This manifesto highlights four key national policy issues that affect the lifesaving work of the UK’s air ambulance charities and presents clear opportunities for Government action. These priorities are informed by frontline operational experience and are on behalf of the urgent needs of the communities air ambulance charities serve.
We are proud to launch this manifesto and stand alongside the UK’s air ambulance charities to call for the support needed to protect and strengthen these lifesaving services.”
The manifesto has already received wide support from across the sector, including backing from Airbus, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Air Ambulances, the APPG for Aviation, Babcock International Group, the British Helicopter Association, and the HELP Appeal (County Air Ambulance Trust).
The Air Ambulance Service operates Your Local Air Ambulance (YLAA) across five counties and the National Children’s Air Ambulance (NCAA), flying thousands of critical missions each year thanks to generous donations and public support.
You can read the full manifesto online here.
