Concern as fuel costs for air ambulance double

1 hour ago

Daisy Bodkin,Gloucestershireand

Jon Smith,BBC Radio Gloucestershire

News image — Great Western Air Ambulance bosses said recent fuel deliveries have cost "almost double" what they used to

Getty Images Green and blue helicopter with the word 'Great Western Air Ambulance' written across it. It's taking off over a green park area that is near a road. The sky is grey and cloudy. — Great Western Air Ambulance bosses said recent fuel deliveries have cost "almost double" what they used to

Bosses of a life-saving air ambulance charity said they are "really worried" as their fuel costs have almost doubled since the conflict in the Middle East started.

Anna Perry, CEO of the Great Western Air Ambulance, said the more the charity has to spend on aviation fuel, the less funds they have for doctors, specialist equipment and drugs.

She said: "When your role involves having to be there for people who are at risk of dying or suffering a life-changing injury, not having certainty about your fuel supply puts a whole different dimension on it."

It currently costs the charity - which covers Gloucestershire, Somerset, Bristol, Bath and parts of Wiltshire - about £2,200 per callout.

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The Gulf region supplies around half of Europe's aviation fuel, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz, an area heavily impacted by the conflict.

Perry said the uncertainty around fuel costs means they do not know how much they have to spend on doctors and specialist equipment.

"So it has a really worrying impact for us," she added.

Perry said the charity raises between £4-5m each year through fundraising and its shops.

She added that the average cost of each life‑saving mission is about £2,200, but that figure is expected to rise as fuel prices increase.

The side of a Great Western Air Ambulance, which is green. It's parked at a base with a field and a large grey building in the background. — The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity relies entirely on public donations

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, which operates across parts of Gloucestershire, has also been affected by fuel shortages.

Richard Apps, a critical care paramedic with the charity, said costs could "potentially double", but demand is difficult to predict.

"We've managed to fill our tank, which holds 50,000 litres. That could potentially last us for two months," he said.

"But we don't have an endless supply, so we're really keen that something is resolved quickly."

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance A yellow and green air ambulance helicopter is on a helipad on a sunny day. Three people in orange, high-visibility uniforms are walking towards the helicopter, two have 'critical care paramedic' written on their backs while the third is labelled as a 'critical care doctor'. — Rising aviation fuel prices has placed added pressure on lifesaving services

Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity has recently secured 15,000 litres of aviation fuel to keep its helicopter operational, but global supply disruption has driven prices to record levels across Europe.

Chief executive Barbara Gray said: "We are closely monitoring fuel prices and the wider economic situation.

"Our focus remains on supporting the crew to respond to patients in urgent need of critical care.

"Community support ensures we can continue to be there when people need us most."

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