Flying doctors

But instead of treating sheep farmers living in the middle of Australia's rugged terrain, Lancashire's version - a helicopter - will be seen swooping to the scene of major emergencies across the Red Rose county.

Lancashire Ambulance Service says the new flying ambulance will take to the skies next month, thanks to a national sponsor who has agreed to foot the bill for the first 12 months.

Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust's assistant chief executive John Calderbank says the new ambulance will play a major part in their work.

He said: "The way the county is made up, we often find ourselves in a situation where it is difficult to get to an incident, such as an injured climber stuck on Rivington Pike.

"We also have a complex motorway network and when there is an accident, it often becomes grid-locked. The helicopter would be able to get much closer, much quicker, by landing nearby."

When not dealing with major incidents in the county, the chopper - one of eight in the country - will be used to transfer seriously injured or ill patients between hospitals.

Mr Calderbank added: "If a patient has, say, spinal injuries we can transfer them by aeroplane to a special unit at a certain hospital in a quicker time and in an environment more conducive to helping the patient than a long trip in a road ambulance would be."

As well as support from the unidentified sponsor, additional funding will come from a charitable trust currently being set up in the area."

A national launch will be held on April 15 for the new helicopter, which, when not flying, will be based at Blackpool Airport.

Mr Calderbank added: "In the past, we have had access to the police helicopter but by having our own we will be able to provide a much wider-range of services."

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