_of_Heli_Scenic12_In_air.JPG)
The Air Ambulance, first began operations in Lincolnshire in April 1994. The area of operation was extended to include Nottinghamshire in 1997.
The idea for an Air Ambulance was first suggested by a group of consultants at the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston in the late 1980’s, to be used predominantly for the transfer of seriously ill and injured patients from Lincolnshire hospitals to regional specialist centres, reducing journey times and providing a far smoother form of transportation.
The Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Service NHS Trust recognised the benefits that an air ambulance could bring, not only for inter-hospital transfers, but also in providing a rapid response to accident victims in one of the largest rural counties in England. This rapid response, combined with swift and smooth transportation of casualties to appropriate treatment centres, could add extra value to the quality of care already delivered by ground resources.
The Ambulance Service drove the project forward in the early 1990’s, with the support of local consultants, gradually turning the original concept into a working reality.
Prior to the launch of the aircraft, and spread over a period of two years, a number of important issues had to be addressed. A project team was first established, and this team then co-ordinated all further development, which included setting up a Charity, selecting an operating company, developing appropriate usage criteria, negotiating hospital landing sites, providing essential medical equipment and selecting and training a number of medical aircrew.
