East Anglian Air Ambulance
Encyclopedia
The East Anglian Air Ambulance is an air ambulance
which covers Norfolk
, Suffolk
, Cambridgeshire
and Bedfordshire
. The service was launched in the summer of 2000 by jockey Frankie Dettori
. The service now operates 365 days a year utilising two helicopters, covering over 5000 square miles (12,949.9 km²) and a population of approximately 2.5 million. Although the service was launched in 2000, flying did not commence until January 2001.
The service operated two MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 helicopters provided by Sterling Helicopters until Feb 2011. However the charity has ceased this contract and at present is using two Bolkow Bo 105 helicopters provided by Bond Air Services Limited on a short term contract. These helicopters operate with the code names "Anglia One" and "Anglia Two". Anglia One covers Norfolk and Suffolk, while Anglia Two covers Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
. Anglia Two operates from its base at Cambridge Airport
having ceased to be based at RAF Wyton
in December 2010.
When the service was first launched, Anglia One operated for only one day a week; this was soon expanded to five days a week and later to the current service of seven days a week. Anglia Two was launched in August 2007 and began operating five days a week (from Sunday to Thursday); but seven days a week service was introduced in 2008. It was manned by the Emergency Medical Team from Magpas Helimedix 24/7
until its move to Cambridge Airport. Clinical governance is now via ESMC
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
which covers Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
and Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
. The service was launched in the summer of 2000 by jockey Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
. The service now operates 365 days a year utilising two helicopters, covering over 5000 square miles (12,949.9 km²) and a population of approximately 2.5 million. Although the service was launched in 2000, flying did not commence until January 2001.
The Aircraft
Operations
The two helicopters operate from different bases. Anglia One begins and ends its day at Norwich AirportNorwich International Airport
Norwich International Airport , also known as Norwich Airport, is an airport in the City of Norwich within Norfolk, England north of the city centre and on the edge of the city's suburbs....
. Anglia Two operates from its base at Cambridge Airport
Cambridge Airport
Cambridge Airport is a small regional airport in South Cambridgeshire, England. It is located on the eastern outskirts of Cambridge, south of Newmarket Road and west of the village of Teversham, from the centre of Cambridge and approximately from London.Opened in 1938, when it replaced the old...
having ceased to be based at RAF Wyton
RAF Wyton
RAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England.In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow. Wyton is the largest of the three. It...
in December 2010.
When the service was first launched, Anglia One operated for only one day a week; this was soon expanded to five days a week and later to the current service of seven days a week. Anglia Two was launched in August 2007 and began operating five days a week (from Sunday to Thursday); but seven days a week service was introduced in 2008. It was manned by the Emergency Medical Team from Magpas Helimedix 24/7
Magpas
Magpas is an Emergency Medical Charity that provides pre-hospital critical care and retrieval in the East of England with its main area of operations being in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and the neighbouring parts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Bedfordshire...
until its move to Cambridge Airport. Clinical governance is now via ESMC