Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) has been approved to perform HEMS using a pair of EC135s by Minister for Health Michelle O'Neill. It will be the first service of its kind for the region and will use a primary helicopter based at Maze Long Kesh, while a second unit kept on standby to ensure minimum downtime will be based at St. Angelo airport, Enniskillen. The service will be doctor-led and operate seven days a week for up to 12 hours a day during daylight hours.

Chairman Ian Crowe says: “We're delighted the minister has approved Northern Ireland's first HEMS service. It will bring us in line with other regions in the UK and Ireland, and could save between 18 and 50 lives every year. AANI is continuing to work with our partners in health and social care and the Northern Ireland ambulance service, and we expect to commence this lifesaving service in the coming months.”

Trustee Ray Foran adds: “The EC135s and pilots will be supplied by Babcock Mission Critical Services. Operating from more than 20 bases, Babcock responds to hundreds of emergency calls every week. Our medical staff and equipment will be provided and funded by health and social care services.”