Public urged to have their say

Mr Anderson said: “The Health Minister Simon Hamilton MLA has recently set up a public consultation on the establishment of a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service or in other words an air ambulance service in Northern Ireland.

“The recent loss of Dr John Hinds was a real tragedy that has heightened interest for the provision of an air ambulance service in Northern Ireland.

“John’s vision was to see Northern Ireland having access to an air ambulance and it is now encouraging to see that something is being brought forward in his memory which is of real need to our people.

“There is a clear public will for such a service to be provided in Northern Ireland with over 80,000 people signing a petition in favour of establishing a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in recent months.”

Anderson continued: “Ultimately, I believe that the establishment of this emergency provision will save lives whilst also complementing the excellent services that are already provided by our trauma clinicians, nurses, paramedics and support staff.”

The consultation was opened a couple of weeks ago on the 23rdNovember 2015 and will run until the 22nd January 2016.