Further calls for an air ambulance to be based in Orkney

Responding to the announcement by the Scottish Ambulance Service that Gama Aviation has been awarded the new contract to provide air ambulance services from 2014, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has repeated calls for an air ambulance to be based in Orkney.

Mr McArthur said that he remained concerned that under the new contract both helicopters and the two King Air fixed-wing aircraft are set to be based south.

He added that despite the recent agreement with Loganair to provide some back-up cover in the islands, there is still a risk that responses to emergency medical cases could be subject to delays, which was particularly likely in some of the smaller islands.

Mr McArthur said that he intends to raise the matter with both the SAS and the Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon.