Statement following the Extraordinary Board Meeting

We held an Extraordinary Board Meeting on Thursday, 11 April to consider the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) Review.

This was an opportunity for us to discuss and consider the updated recommendations put forward by the Review.

As a Board, we understand and accept the case for change and the importance of addressing the level of unmet need in our communities across North Wales.

We felt at this time we were not in a position to support the recommendations due to the lack of detail in relation to Recommendation 4, as it currently stands. We believe further work is needed to explore different options to address the current unmet need within our population.

The Air Ambulance service is vital to us in North Wales so we want to see the best possible proposals put forward that will improve the service for our population.

We support the work that will be carried out by the Task and Finish Group to provide more evidence to support any change or recommendations. As part of this, we would like to see closer engagement with our stakeholders and communities, in particular those who live in rural areas, to help retain the confidence in the service.

All seven health boards have now met to consider the EMRTS review, and their respective views will be considered at a meeting in public of the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee on 23 April 2024.

You can view our Extra Ordinary Meeting below: