Health chiefs review London's helicopter ambulance service.

Abstract

A study of London's helicopter ambulance service has concluded that two protocols exist for deciding when to bring in the helicopter and that they are not mutually consistent. The report, conducted on behalf of the chief executives of London's 16 health authorities, recommends that a new protocol be finalised and adopted “without delay.” The report was called for by government ministers earlier this year after the death of Lady Margaret Elton. Lady Elton died as a result of an accident in Chelsea, south west London, and the coroner expressed concern that a ground ambulance had been at the scene for 40 minutes before the air ambulance was able to take the patient. The air ambulance then took Lady Elton to the Royal …