Work starts on Air Ambulance’s new airbase and HQ
The first spade has entered the ground to mark the start of construction of a new airbase and charity headquarters for Midlands Air Ambulance on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.
Enabling works have now been started by main contractor Morris Property and the project is expected to complete in late 2022.
The new facility, which has been in planning for more than four years, will boost the charity’s pre-hospital helicopter-led emergency medical service, providing a purpose-built environment for clinical staff, advanced clinical simulation training room, and space for two aircraft.
Hanna Sebright, chief executive of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “The development of a purpose-built airbase and charity headquarters has been strategically planned for several years to improve the long-term resilience of the charity and to provide enhanced pre hospital care to people across the Midlands region. Therefore, the turf cutting ceremony was a significant milestone in bringing our vision to fruition.
“This new facility will ensure the critical care team are equipped to treat the increasingly complex patient cases and enhance our daily lifesaving service, featuring a purpose-built clinical training facility and more suitable environment for our aircrew when they return from complex, stressful and challenging air ambulance missions.”
James West, chief operating officer at Morris Property, added: “It is a privilege to be working on this important and well-planned project for such a worthy cause. Undertaking the enabling works signals a major step forward for the charity and its future across the Midlands region.”
More than 90% of funding for the development has been obtained via major grants from organisations such as the Department for Health and Social Care and the HELP Appeal.
