Campaigners' appeal to save air ambulance base fails

A High Court appeal against the closure of an air ambulance base has been rejected.

In April 2024, it was announced that two Wales Air Ambulance bases were set to close in Welshpool, Powys, and Caernarfon, Gwynedd, replaced by a new base in north Wales.

Locals against the decision won the right to put their case to save the Welshpool site before the High Court, but on Thursday a judge ruled that the appeal had failed.

Campaigners said they were "extremely disappointed", but Wales Air Ambulance said it welcomed the "clear and unequivocal outcome".

Giving his judgement, Mr Justice Turner said he understood the "depth of feeling involved and the disappointment that this decision will bring to many people" but added it was not the role of the High Court to "usurp the decision making function of those to whom parliament has delegated the responsibility".

Reacting to the news, the Save Welshpool and Caernarfon Air Ambulance Bases Group said its members were "extremely disappointed", but added "this is not the end".

It said it planned to "meet urgently to discuss an appeal process".

The claimant had challenged the move on four grounds, including that the consultation on the decision was not sufficient and that the Joint Commissioning Committee (JCC) had failed to have regard to representations made by Llais - the organisation which represents NHS patients - and the relevant statutory guidance.

However Mr Justice Turner said he was "entirely satisfied that the JCC and its predecessor both fully and conscientiously had regard to the contributions from Llais in a way which complied with its statutory obligations and in accordance with the guidance".

He added: "The fact that the JCC were not simply paying lip service to the view of Llais is perhaps best illustrated by their decision to accede to its request to embark upon a previously unplanned third phase of engagement in the face of the concerns expressed by the charity over the delay."

Dr Sue Barnes, chief executive of Wales Air Ambulance, said: "We welcome this clear and unequivocal outcome.

"This service improvement is important as lives are currently under threat. It is vital to address the issues of unmet need, inequity and service under-use."

Dr Barnes thanked the communities affected for their "incredible passion" for the charity and gave her "heartfelt reassurance that nobody is losing a service".