The Children's Air Ambulance

18 April 2012

The Air Ambulance Service is very aware of the past history of this charity, as are the Charity Commission and Companies House and people are right to be concerned about its previous activities. What should be understood is that the need for such a service is real.

Therefore in our view the correct way to tackle the issues was to look at facts, ascertain how the need was to be met and then work out a clear direction and way forward to ensure that, as with any other charitable activity, it is legal, ethical and making a genuine impact on Society.

The Charity Commission has been informed and involved in every stage of our takeover of this charity and they have been very supportive of our model in bringing the objectives of this and other charities into a proper framework with a timetable of actual delivery. The Children's Air Ambulance will launch later this year with a much needed, dedicated paediatric and neo natal transfer service.

No-one is denying the past activities and claims of the previous charity which dates back prior to our takeover but the public should understand that under the legitimate auspices of a well established and recognised charity like ours, those concerns have been alleviated and it is difficult to understand the purpose of continued attacks from other Air Ambulance charities.

It is well documented by the paediatric fraternity that just under 6,000 critically ill children each year require transportation to a paediatric intensive care unit which represents one third of all child admissions. The vast majority of these are by road transfer which can often be long, uncomfortable and expensive meaning specialist teams are taken out of hospital duties. The provision of a properly run service by air will make a very significant difference to patients and to hard pressed NHS finances. The purpose of The Children's Air Ambulance, is supported by a very wide range of people and professionals across the board. Only local air ambulance charities seem to be opposed to it and in our view on a very clear misunderstanding that it is not intending to provide a HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) but it is there to provide the bespoke paediatric transport service mentioned above.

The Children's Air Ambulance charity has been fully incorporated into our organization and now benefits from the experience and excellent leadership of the management team we have, all of whom have willingly taken on the additional responsibilities at no additional cost. This brings a stability and credibility to the service and is a major factor in the Charity Commission being satisfied that the future is now safe and ethical for this charity.

The Air Ambulance Service is an Organisation of Excellence, one that has achieved substantial recognition from Government, Business and the Public at large, we do not make misleading statements. We are very clear on what we are intending to do and how we are going to do it; and we are very open about how funds will be used.

The Air Ambulance Service has been recognised by the National Business Awards for its transformational change, The Institute of Directors who named its CEO as their Director of the Year in the West Midlands and the Charity Times who have awarded three accolades to the charity.

Whilst we do accept that other Air Ambulance Charities are opposed to this service, we do not accept much of the reasoning in the same way that we do not accept that the current system of fragmented air ambulance provision across the UK is the best, most efficient and most cost effective. Therefore we will continue to provide the services that are needed and will continue to campaign for any improvements that can be made in order that the principal aim of impact and outcomes on patient care takes precedence over everything else.