GB. London. Air Ambulance - HEMS Helicopter Helicopter lands of roof of the London Hospital.

London's Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) has been in operation since 1989. It has until March 1997 been sponsored by Express Newspapers, who pay the leasing costs. However the Express recently signalled its intention to cease funding the service, which costs £1.7 million to run from April 1997. In a last minute reprieve, Virgin boss Richard Branson has stepped in to buy the helicopter, thus reducing part of the financial burden. It is however, still unclear as to the eventual future of HEMS, since the local authorities that provide the majority funding are not convinced of its worth, as it is questionnable how many people it helps, and figures suggesting that ambulances are in fact quicker and more efficient. 1997