POLITICIANS at the province’s local councils are being encouraged to provide financial support for the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland.
The appeal has been issued by Rowallane councillor Billy Walker, who last month secured across-the-board political support from his Newry, Mourne and Down Council colleagues to provide funding to the service which plays a critical role across the district.
It has been revealed that between August 2017 and November last year, the air ambulance responded to 101 incidents across the council area.
“The air ambulance is vital for people across the district, given its rural nature and attractions like the Mournes and Strangford Lough,” Cllr Walke rsaid.
The Rowallane politician recently visited the air ambulance’s base outside Lisburn where he was joined by two of his party colleagues from Mid Ulster and Derry and Strabane Councils, both of which have agreed to provide financial support for the lifesaving service.
With three local authorities already on board, Cllr Walker hopes that the remaining eight Northern Ireland councils will provide financial support.
He said while Stormont funds the air ambulance crew, medicines and medical equipment, it should be picking up the remainder of the service’s running costs.
He confirmed that Strangford MP Jim Shannon plans to raise this issue with Department of Health Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly.
“Down District is already a main user of the air ambulance service which has already helped save a number of lives,” Cllr Walker continued.
“The service relies heavily upon donations to help meet the service’s £2m annual running costs and while this is welcome, I believe local councils and indeed the Department of Health needs to do more.”
Cllr Walker says while the air ambulance relies heavily upon public support, it also needs a sustainable funding stream to ensure it can continue to save lives and hopes this will be provided by the Department of Health.
“The service is a key component of the emergency services and should not have to rely on charitable donations,” he continued.
“Given the costs to keep the service in the air, I believe all of the Province’s 11 councils, supported by the government department, have a role to play.”
Cllr Walker, who was recently made aware of the excellent work of the air ambulance when the crew responded to an emergency in Killyleagh when a woman was involved in an accident in Plantation Street, confirmed that Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s financial contribution to the service will be agreed at a meeting of its efficiencies working group.
He added: “The air ambulance is an excellent service which all of Northern Ireland is fortunate to have and it is important that we continue to support its work.”