Air ambulance helicopters are necessary to protect rural areas, the man running the engagement project into the future of Welshpool's air base has said.
Chief Ambulance Services Commissioner for Wales, Stephen Harrhy who is running the public engagement on the future of the Wales Air Ambulance Service spoke to the County Times as the second phase of engagement over the future of the service began.
When the County Times raised the difference between the two options recommended by analysis company Optima, he said it would be "tiny".
Six different scenarios were analysed, showing the two best options nationally would be adding a new rapid response vehicle and either keeping the bases open in Welshpool and Caernarfon or combining them into a new north Wales site.
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Both the "best" options are likely to be more costly than maintaining the status quo.
And Mr Harrhy said: “What I have said is that if there are options that would cost more that I would not discount those.
"What we had before was a parameter that it mustn’t cost more but if you do that you can get more activity.
“I don’t have a commissioning budget to cover those additional costs but if I felt it was the right thing to do, to ask for additional resources to be available then that would be included in my report. If I felt that this particular option was the right option, and that would go in my report and my recommendations to the Emergency Ambulnce Services comittee (EASC).”
As a result of the narrow difference in performance it means that Mr Harrhy will be also looking at other factors including cost and equity.
READ MORE: Why the evidence shows Welshpool's Air Ambulance base should stay
The modelling also showed that the if the bases were closed there, the performance in parts of mid Wales and especially in Gwynedd would decline.
“There is no perfect option, which delivers absolutely everything to everyone,” said Mr Harrhy.
“Each has pros and cons associated with them. At the moment there is unmet need across the country.
“I have to consider how from a numbers point of view you may cover more numbers in those urban areas, if that then means there is a detriment elsewhere then I have to consider how we balance that.
“One of the things the data shows is that you use cars more in urban areas and helicopters more in rural areas.
“There is a difference and getting the balance right between aircraft and cars is really important. On of the things I have said consistently is I think we need to protect aircraft to cover rural areas.”
Mr Harrhy also said there are economic factors which have to be accounted for to allow the service to remain sustainable.
“If you are operating four bases then it is going to cost you less if you operate three bases," he said, "Overall there is going to be more cost to Wales Air Ambulance because we are running four aircraft which is much more expensive than the base cost.
“That being said if you are running four bases that will still cost more. However there is a cost of consolidating the two and I haven’t tested that as yet.”
Mr Harrhy also firmly stated “I do not have a preferred option today.
“I will be seeking support from the charity for the option we will put forward. They have said they are supporting this process and I have no reason to believe anything other than that.
"I am confident that no matter what option I put forward I will get the support from the charity.”
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