1 فبراير 2019

New base for GWAAC

Credit greatwesternairambulance.com

Babcock has started operations from a brand new base for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) after the charity completed their “Build a Base” initiative.

The project raised £1.3 million, helping them to get the new base operational. The new location in Almondsbury is just a ten minute drive from their previous base in Filton, Bristol.

GWAAC provides aerial emergency medical service cover for 2.1 million people in communities across Bristol, Bath, Somerset and Gloucestershire. As well as the new base the charity also purchased the surrounding land giving them, and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) who operate an aircraft from the same location, a new and much larger facility for their operations.

As well as more space the base is custom-designed to include areas for training, de-briefing, planning and even for meeting colleague or welcoming former patients who often want to visit and say thanks for the service they received from the crews.

Director Onshore, Rich Youngs, said: “It’s great to be operating for GWAAC from this fantastic new facility. That they were able to raise the funds is testament to the high regard the local communities hold their service in and we are proud to play a part in helping them save lives and support critical care services.

Pilot Jim Green said: “Morale amongst all the crew members has massively improved since the move. It makes a big difference to how you feel about coming to work every day, and particularly working with a highly skilled critical care team.”