HIOWAA launches community consultation
The UK-based air ambulance charity is seeking community feedback on plans for a new base near Southampton Airport
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) has launched a community consultation for its new headquarters, prior to the submission of an application to Eastleigh Borough Council.
The consultation will include a drop-in session at Eastleigh Football Club from 16:00–20:00 hrs on 5 March.
There will also be a virtual consultation on the project’s website, where the same information will be displayed, and comments can be submitted until 17 March.
Bringing everyone under one roof
The planned headquarters would be built at a site on George Curl Way, adjacent to Southampton Airport.
The aim is to bring all of HIOWAA’s staff under one roof – at present, the charity, which serves parts of southern England, has its personnel spread across two locations.
HIOWAA’s operations side – including both its helicopter and medical teams – are based at Thruxton motor-racing circuit. The rest of the charity’s staff are based in Nursling, near Southampton. Travel between the two sites currently takes approximately 40 minutes.
Opportunities to improve services
In addition, it is hoped that the new, centralized base will allow HIOWAA to “dramatically reduce response times and minimize flying and travel time” – particularly as demand for the service is rising. The charity conducted 1,842 missions in 2023.
HIOWAA also stated that the new headquarters would “present opportunities to create an aftercare facility delivering follow-up care for those who have previously received emergency critical care”. Additionally, it would allow greater “collaboration with like-minded organizations working in the field of emergency medicine”.
Richard Corbett, CEO of HIOWAA, said: “Demand is rising for our vital lifesaving work, but presently, our helicopter is located in the northwest corner of Hampshire, further from the majority of our missions than our preferred site.”
He added: “We want to be good neighbors; as a result, we are keen to hear from residents and other important local stakeholders regarding our proposed new headquarters and would encourage people to take part in our community consultation.”
HIOWAA also donated a range of surplus emergency medical supplies to the Ukrainian military in January.