Yorkshire Air Ambulance returns to the skies

The news follows an announcement at the beginning of April when their doctors and paramedics were redeployed back to the frontline to support the fight against coronavirus.

Today’s announcement comes as the NHS in the region has confirmed that patients will not be sent to the new Nightingale facility in Harrogate, which was launched earlier this week, for the time being as existing hospitals continue to manage the surge in coronavirus cases within the current intensive care capacity, meaning the YAA crew can return to their usual duties.

Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the YAA, said: “Obviously we are delighted to be able to start operating one of our helicopters again and have our crew available to respond to emergency 999 calls. The team has worked at very short notice to make the necessary preparations to recommence operations from tomorrow, and I would like to thank them for their hard work and dedication in ensuring we’re ready to resume our vital work.”

For now, the YAA will be operating one of their two helicopters from their Nostell Airbase near Wakefield, whilst the second helicopter undergoes its scheduled mandatory annual service. There has also been a recent downturn in life-threatening 999 calls whilst people are isolating at home, resulting in slightly fewer call-outs.

The charity added that is has seen a fundraising deficit of about £420,000 as events were cancelled because of the virus.