Along with fellow Suffolk MP Dan Poulter, Peter Aldous has presented a letter on the future of the East Anglian Air Ambulance to the Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley.

Peter has written to the Health Secretary in a letter signed by most East Anglian MPs to raise his concerns about the future of the Air Ambulance in light of the East of England major trauma system review proposals.

Peter said: “I am concerned that the invaluable role played by the air ambulance has not been properly taken into consideration as a part of the current East of England major trauma system review proposals. In particular I am concerned by proposed changes that seek to impose boundaries dictated by an arbitrary road transport time of 45 minutes.

Now that the East Anglian Air Ambulance has announced it will now be in operation for longer periods to extend the amount of cover it provides across the region, it is important that a helipad is installed permanently at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, so that patients with serious emergencies can be transferred to the specialist regional centre of trauma care as quickly as possible. I am very much aware that with east-west road links being particularly poor, the Air Ambulance plays a vital role in the Waveney area in getting people quickly to Addenbrokes.

It is also important that the East Anglian Air Ambulance service continues to be supported by speciality doctors in training who come from the London Deanery, so that our excellent air ambulance can continue to deliver a first class service across the region.”