Edward Morello
Main Page: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)Department Debates - View all Edward Morello's debates with the HM Treasury
Community Helipads: Rural Access
Edward Morello Excerpts(1 day, 15 hours ago)
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Edward Morello (West Dorset) (LD)
I thank my hon. Friend for giving way and I want to use this opportunity to beg a favour of him, although I appreciate that the issue I want to address might not be the responsibility of this Minister. My hon. Friend has rightly highlighted the issue of the collection of patients. However, there is also the issue of the delivery of patients. Far too many hospital helipads do not operate 24 hours a day, especially at children’s specialist trauma hospitals, which results in helicopters having to land elsewhere before the patient is moved by ambulance. If he meets the Minister, can he also press the Department of Health to properly fund 24-hour helipads at specialist children’s hospitals?
Mr MacDonald
I thank my hon. Friend. That is a point I did not know, but I will certainly bring it up should I get a meeting.
Rescue helicopters are vital for rural communities, as are organisations such as mountain rescue, which are voluntarily staffed. It is imperative that we do not over-legislate and create red tape that hampers the amazing work that these crews carry out right across the United Kingdom.