Air ambulances move to Manchester and Preston hospital

The North West Air Ambulance is to move its helicopter bases to hospitals in a move which the charity said may save lives.

The region's two air ambulances are currently based at City Airport, Manchester and Blackpool Airport.

The helicopters will move to dedicated trauma hospitals, the University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM) in Wythenshawe and Royal Preston Hospital.

It means specialist doctors can now fly out to treat patients at the scene.

Lynda Brislin, chief executive of the charity, said being able to take specialist doctors onboard for incidents requiring specialist clinical care would "increase patients' life chances".

She said: "A patient will no longer have to wait until their arrival at hospital to have access to the highest quality clinical care; instead this will be available to them in their time of extreme need."

Brendan Ryan, medical director at UHSM, said: "We know often the speed and quality of care can make the difference between life and death for some patients who have suffered major trauma."

"Moving the service closer means that together we are able to make a major contribution to Manchester's trauma network and provide the very best outcomes for patients," he added.