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| NHS 'needs flying doctor network' | NHS 'needs flying doctor network' |
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| The NHS needs a network of flying doctors to cope with the closure of A&E units, experts say. | The NHS needs a network of flying doctors to cope with the closure of A&E units, experts say. |
| Air ambulance chiefs said the extra skills were needed aboard the helicopters as the health service moves towards regional trauma centres. | Air ambulance chiefs said the extra skills were needed aboard the helicopters as the health service moves towards regional trauma centres. |
| Much of Europe already uses doctors, but the service in England and Wales tends to rely heavily on paramedics. | Much of Europe already uses doctors, but the service in England and Wales tends to rely heavily on paramedics. |
| Doctors have backed the call, while the government says it will let local managers decide whether to fund it. | Doctors have backed the call, while the government says it will let local managers decide whether to fund it. |
| Air ambulances have been used since the late 1980s and now answer more than 17,000 calls each year. | Air ambulances have been used since the late 1980s and now answer more than 17,000 calls each year. |
| But with the NHS moving towards regional centres of excellence which will mean longer journeys for trauma patients, the Association of Air Ambulance Charities is calling for a network of "flying doctors" to help treat patients on arrival. | But with the NHS moving towards regional centres of excellence which will mean longer journeys for trauma patients, the Association of Air Ambulance Charities is calling for a network of "flying doctors" to help treat patients on arrival. |
| THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE The first air ambulance service was launched in Cornwall in 1987The service has now expanded to cover the whole of England and Wales at a cost of over £50m a yearThis is mainly funded through charitable donations, although the NHS does cover the cost of paramedics 'Taking A&E to the patient' | THE AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE The first air ambulance service was launched in Cornwall in 1987The service has now expanded to cover the whole of England and Wales at a cost of over £50m a yearThis is mainly funded through charitable donations, although the NHS does cover the cost of paramedics 'Taking A&E to the patient' |
| It is a model that is pretty standard across Europe and is in the process of being adopted in Scotland. | It is a model that is pretty standard across Europe and is in the process of being adopted in Scotland. |
| But only three of the 18 charities responsible for the 26 emergency helicopters in England and Wales use doctors all the time - although a handful of others do use them occasionally. | But only three of the 18 charities responsible for the 26 emergency helicopters in England and Wales use doctors all the time - although a handful of others do use them occasionally. |
| AAAC chairman David Philpott said: "We find ourselves being called out to extremely serious cases, many road traffic accidents where the injuries can be horrific. | AAAC chairman David Philpott said: "We find ourselves being called out to extremely serious cases, many road traffic accidents where the injuries can be horrific. |
| "But it is no longer about transporting them to the nearest A&E. | "But it is no longer about transporting them to the nearest A&E. |
| "What we are doing is stabilising the patients at the scene and getting them to specialist centres that can be a long way away. | "What we are doing is stabilising the patients at the scene and getting them to specialist centres that can be a long way away. |
| "That requires specialist skills and, without doctors on board, patients may be at risk. | "That requires specialist skills and, without doctors on board, patients may be at risk. |
| "This is not going to happen overnight, but we have to get there." | "This is not going to happen overnight, but we have to get there." |
| Essential | Essential |
| Andrew Cameron, chief executive of the London service, which has been using doctors since it started in 1988, added: "When you are talking about brain injuries, spinal damage and knife wounds, a doctor is essential. | Andrew Cameron, chief executive of the London service, which has been using doctors since it started in 1988, added: "When you are talking about brain injuries, spinal damage and knife wounds, a doctor is essential. |
| "Say someone has been a knifed in the heart, you only have one choice - to open up the chest on the scene." | "Say someone has been a knifed in the heart, you only have one choice - to open up the chest on the scene." |
| And Don Mackechnie, from the College of Emergency Medicine, agreed. | And Don Mackechnie, from the College of Emergency Medicine, agreed. |
| "Air ambulances are becoming an important part of the health service and where doctors are being used it is working well so I don't see why it can't be done everywhere." | "Air ambulances are becoming an important part of the health service and where doctors are being used it is working well so I don't see why it can't be done everywhere." |
| A Department of Health spokesman said the air ambulance charities needed to work with NHS trusts to agree funding if they wanted doctors on board. | A Department of Health spokesman said the air ambulance charities needed to work with NHS trusts to agree funding if they wanted doctors on board. |
| He added: "It is for the NHS locally and the charities to decide on what is appropriate for their own local circumstances." | |
| Are you concerned at A&E provision in your area? Do you think including doctors in air ambulances is a good idea? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | |