THERE has been an increase in the number of calls-outs by Wiltshire Air Ambulance in the last year following the introduction of a new helicopter.

Since the Bell 429 came into service last year, a total of 513 flights, many of them life-saving, have been made.

This is an increase of 27 on the previous year, with an increase on road traffic crashes and cardiac arrest call-outs.

Part of the reason for this is the increased understanding from call-handlers over what the air ambulance crews can do but also the improved technical capability of the new helicopter.

As a result, Chief Executive David Philpott of the charity says the amount required through fundraising to keep the vehicle in the air is likely to be higher than the £2.5 million currently needed.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “We reckon it’s going to be a little over £3 million. That’s partly because we realised the helicopter can do a lot more than we thought. We’re going to be increasing flying hours well into the night soon.

“How we raise the money is not by taking the people of Wiltshire for granted and presuming upon their generosity but recognising they realise all of us have a stake in this life-saving helicopter.

“We will do our best as a fundraising team to get the message out there and when people do raise money we need to recognise them and acknowledge them.

“We need to continue to prove that Wiltshire is the most generous county by population in the country. We see the people of Wiltshire giving about £4 per head per year.”

There are a number of advantages of the new helicopter but the main one is speed. From its Devizes base, the Bell 429 can be anywhere in the country within 11 minutes of receiving a call.

This also means critical patients can be taken to a specialist hospital further afield in a far shorter time.

“It’s faster, it’s quieter, and it’s greener but most importantly the inside is designed to help our crew work with the patient during flight,” said David.

“About four or five years ago there might have been some umming and erring about whether a job was appropriate for an air ambulance or not.

“Now they clearly get the benefit is speed, that we can get to patients quickly and we can get them onto the most appropriate hospital quickly and has really has made a significant difference.”

It has also been revealed that should planning permission be granted, work on a new base in Semmington could start in the autumn.