Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust (KSSAAT) has signed a contract with air ambulance operator Medical Aviation Services (MAS) which heralds the introduction of a full 24/7 helicopter service in the UK’s South East from early next year.

KSSAAT works in conjunction with the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) in the delivery of patient care and Trust Chief Executive, Adrian Bell said “We look forward to building on the co-operative relationship we have with SECAmb in doing more for patients at night as well as by day. This is all made possible by the excellent support provided to us by Medical Aviation Services”

The deal will see the introduction of a new Night Vision equipped MD 902 Explorer helicopter which will be flown by a two-pilot crew and operated from the Trust’s new base at Redhill in Surrey. This follows the recent successful evaluation by EASA of night vision trials conducted by MAS using the Explorer.