Backbench Business Committee
30 June 2026
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Backbench Business Committee House of Commons
00:01 - 00:29
Speaker 5
Order, order. Welcome to the meeting of the Backbench Business Committee where we will be receiving applications for bids for debates both in Westminster Hall and in the chamber. The first application is from our veteran season ticket holder Jim Shannon for a debate on mandatory safeguarded 24/7 helipads at major trauma centers. This is for a Westminster Hall general debate. Jim, please present your case.
00:29 - 02:35
Speaker 4
Chairman and honorable members, can I thank you very much for giving me the chance to request a debate on this issue. I understand that this particular issue hasn't been debated before, but it seems that while every one of us knows the importance of the air ambulance, I can point to cases in my constituency of Strangford where the air ambulance saved lives and sometimes unfortunately they may be just too late to save lives because the injuries were so extreme, but I can point to lives that they've saved. Now, when you pick them up in say Greyabbey or Kircubbin, the Ards Peninsula, Portaferry, and they take them to the Ulster Hospital in my constituency or to the Royal Victoria, not everyone has a helipad, but I think there might be an intimation to have one. But this debate is to be to do with the mandatory safeguarding of major trauma centers helipads. So that's the reason.
Two, three quick reasons, or two quick reasons why. There's currently no national NHS policy or directive requiring major trauma centers, especially hospitals or any NHS hospital, to provide safeguarded 24/7 on-site helipad access. Some do it, some don't. This is to make sure it all happens. And secondly, the issue is particularly timely.
Recent major incidents have once again demonstrated the vital role that air ambulances play in the UK's emergency response. And thirdly, the APPG, the All-Party Parliamentary Group report also recommends strengthening hospital helipad provision as part of the UK's preparedness and resilience for major incidents. Excuse me. We have a membership, those who have applied, we've had four Labour, three Lib Dem, two Conservative, and a number of independent Ulster Unionists, Reform, and myself. I believe, Mr. Chairman, there's a widespread request for this.
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