Proposals to close and relocate two existing rural bases of the Wales Air Ambulance are set to be debated in the Senedd next week. The plans could see the combining of crews from the two bases near Caernarfon and Welshpool, and moving them to Rhuddlan in the north east of Wales.

Changes have been met with widespread concerns, with people across mid and northwest Wales questioning the decision to move the helicopters. Over 20,000 people have signed petitions calling for the services to remain in their existing locations. They believe that the move can only lead to a deterioration in the services provided to some of the most hard-to-reach areas, including Ynys Môn and mid-Wales.

Farmers’ unions have added their voices to the campaign, fearing the potentially longer waits for urgent care after farm accidents could increase the risk of loss of life in the hardest to reach areas.  The Air Ambulance is also vital in providing an urgent response to persons injured in road accidents in remote areas of Wales.

A local Member of the Senedd said `I hope that in this debate, we can highlight the clear concerns of people from Mid and North Wales, and that the Welsh Government will agree to work with its NHS partners and the Welsh Air Ambulance Charitable Trust to ensure that air ambulance bases in Welshpool and Caernarfon remain in operation.`