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Babcock extends UK air ambulance contract

Babcock and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) have announced a three-year contract extension to maintain their helicopter emergency medical service.

The new UK contract starts this month and Babcock is providing HIOWAA with an Airbus H135 helicopter fitted with the latest Night Vision Goggles (NVIS) technology, maintenance and airworthiness management, engineering and highly trained pilots.

“Since its inception, Babcock has been supporting Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in carrying out emergency medical services,” said Director Babcock UK Onshore, Hayley Belmore. “This new contract sees a move to 19-hour operations on a full-time basis, providing a crucial service for the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We’ll ensure the continuity of the operation, from the maintenance of the aircraft to the management of the aeronautical team.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight CEO, Richard Corbett, said: “Extending our flying hours to 19 hours a day, every day, will ensure we can continue to bring our critical care to those who need it most. With our aviation requirements in the safe hands of Babcock, our teams of doctors, paramedics, pilots and dispatch assistants can focus on saving lives in our region.”

Available both day and night, 365 days a year, the charity’s Critical Care Teams are called out to an average of four incidents every day, including cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions, falls and assaults. The highly skilled crews of doctors, paramedics and pilots, who make up the Critical Care Teams, can be at the scene of an incident within minutes, ready to deliver the same level of care that you would expect from a hospital emergency department.