Wales Air Ambulance publishes efficiency analysis

The results of the analysis suggest that with a reconfiguration of base locations and alterations to its shift patterns, WAA could significantly increase the number of additional missions it could attend each year.

WAA currently meets around 72 per cent of the total demand for its service but says that it could increase this to 88 per cent. The charity says that this would enable it to operate up to an additional 583 missions per year – the charity carried out 3,544 missions in 2021.

WAA says that its analysis suggests that every region of Wales could benefit from an increase in patients served under the proposed changes. (see table)

A key proposition of the analysis would be to close the Welshpool base in Welshpool, Powys, and relocating its crew (including aircraft and rapid response vehicles) to a currently undetermined new site in North Wales.

Operational hours from the aforementioned base would also be extended to 18 hours, from its current 12-hours operational period (two crews, one operating from 08:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs, the other from 14:00 hrs to 02:00 hrs). WAA says this would allow for a more localized response, rather than residents of North Wales being reliant on the busy Cardiff-based overnight crew, which launched 24/7 operations in 2020.

Other suggestions outlined through the analysis include equipping WAA’s daytime-only helicopters to be night-vision capable to enable stronger coverage during the hours of darkness and ensuring that aircraft are not scheduled for maintenance during peak times such as summer (WAA stated that this last suggestion was currently out of their control).

The analysis incorporated data from EMRTS and other NHS sources

The data analysis incorporated a large amount of mission data from Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service Cymru (EMRTS) and other NHS Wales sources, supplemented by a significant five-year service evaluation published in March 2022.

The data was broken down into periods of time, geography and seasonality and shared with world-leading analytics company Optima, who presented a series of projections. The analysis also included support from external aviation consultancy, Aeroptimo.

David Gilbert, WAA’s Chair of Trustees, said: “We have already started the process of engaging with key stakeholders. We will keep everybody updated as we move through the analysis and decision process but it’s fair to say that any potential changes would not happen for some time.”

The 21-year-old charity is looking to adapt for the future

Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Charity Chief Executive, commented: “There is strong evidence that says every part of Wales will benefit from the proposed changes. Our aim is always to make the best use of our donations by attending even more people in need.”

“The air ambulance in Wales is 21 years old and has evolved significantly. Our focus has moved from getting patients to the nearest hospital to getting our advanced medics to the patient. We now operate via road as well as air. This is vital when aircraft are grounded for technical reasons or when flying conditions are poor. Current locations mean that patients in north and mid Wales suffer from a lack of this alternative provision as a result of poor road access – unlike their counterparts in south Wales,” she added.

Barnes also confirmed that WAA’s current aviation contract is up for renewal, offering a ‘once-in-a-decade’ opportunity to reassess the charity’s current service provision. In addition, she said that reassessing the efficiency of resource utilization by the charity was especially vital ‘due to the current increase in the cost of goods and services’. She said that WAA was ‘expecting a 30 per cent increase in aviation costs’.

The analysis comes after WAA celebrated its 21st year of operation earlier this year, coinciding with the launch of new branding for the organization.