AAUK relaunches APPGAA for Air Ambulances
Above: (left to right): Jamie Ward AAUK, Graham Leadbitter MP SNP, Pippa Heylings MP Liberal Democrats, Claire Young MP Liberal Democrats, Glen Picknell AAUK, Liz Jarvis MP Liberal Democrats, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE, Jim Shannon MP Democratic Unionist Party.
Front: (left to right) Steve Witherden MP Labour, Lindsay Boswell, Interim CEO AAUK
courtesy AAUK
The meeting was chaired by Steve Witherden MP, the APPGAA brings together politicians to address key issues affecting the sector. The gathering marked a significant step towards raising awareness and campaigning on policy issues within the air ambulance sector to enhance the delivery of lifesaving pre-hospital care.
During the meeting, Pete Wishart MP (Scottish National Party) was reaffirmed as Chair and new officers were appointed to support the group’s work:
- Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP – Officer (Conservative)
- Steve Witherden MP – Officer (Labour)
- The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE – Officer (Conservative)
The meeting set out the group’s aims and objectives for the coming year, with a keynote address from Lindsay Boswell, Interim CEO of Air Ambulances UK, who outlined the vital role of policy and advocacy in supporting air ambulance charities. A key topic on the agenda was hospital helipads, a significant challenge facing the sector.
Lindsay Boswell provided an update on national issues surrounding hospital helipads and the urgent need for investment. Plans were discussed for Air Ambulances UK to employ a helipad specialist to assess the impact, compile a report to support APPGAA lobbying efforts, and provide clear evidence to the Government on return on investment.
Lindsay Boswell, Interim CEO of Air Ambulances UK, said: "The APPGAA plays a vital role in ensuring that air ambulance charities have a strong voice in Parliament. The relaunch of the group demonstrates a renewed commitment from policymakers to tackling the key challenges facing the sector. We look forward to working closely with MPs and Peers to champion the needs of air ambulance charities, ensuring they can continue delivering lifesaving pre-hospital care to those who need it most."
Jamie Ward, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Air Ambulances UK, said: "The APPGAA is a crucial platform for addressing the challenges faced by air ambulance charities. With cross-party support, we can push for meaningful change, particularly on issues like hospital helipad access, to help improve patient outcomes."
Air Ambulances UK stated it is looking forward to working with Pete Wishart MP and the APPGAA to drive positive change, securing the long-term sustainability of air ambulance services nationwide.
Air ambulance crews bring the Emergency Department to patients who have suffered a life-threatening or life-changing trauma or medical emergency, providing advanced critical care to save lives and improve recovery.
On average an air ambulance can reach someone in urgent need within 16 minutes. Anyone, anywhere in the UK, can become a patient at any time. Air ambulance charities are collectively dispatched to over 126 lifesaving missions each day across the UK; each mission is funded almost entirely by the generosity of local communities.
AAUK raises national funds to invest in the air ambulance community and acts as the collective voice on issues of national significance. Its vision is that together the air ambulance community will ensure the best possible chance of survival and patient outcome for everyone in need of lifesaving pre-hospital care. AAUK does this by supporting and championing the invaluable work of the air ambulance community at a national level: www.airambulancesuk.org
