Fears are growing that the Wiltshire Air Ambulance could be downgraded to a daytime operation.

Sources within the air ambulance told the Gazette they understand that the operation of the service may change in 18 months time stopping night time flying.

There is further concern that the ambulance control rooms in Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire could be merged at a Bristol base.

A meeting of the Great Western Ambulance Trust was taking place yesterday as the Gazette was going to press.

It is believed the board was to discuss establishing an air ambulance based in Bristol.

It is thought the board also agreed to give its support to the continued running of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance as it currently operates until the establishment of a second dedicated air ambulance, which could take 18 months.

However, it is believed the board is considering the amalgamation of its three control rooms in Wiltshire, Avon and Gloucestershire, with Almondsbury in Bristol thought to be the favoured headquarters.

A source at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance said they believed Wiltshire would retain an air ambulance but was not confident that it would be a combined air ambulance/police helicopter.

The source said: "We have not received assurances that the combined air ambulance/police helicopter will continue and we fear that it will not. That would mean as a dedicated air ambulance we would only be able to fly in day time hours. About a third of our work is at night. If we did not operate at night it would mean patients having to travel by road ambulance which could take up to 45 minutes as opposed to five to six minutes in the aircraft. Patients could die."

Melanie Chiswell, head of communications at the Great Western Ambulance Trust, denied that the air ambulance was discussed at a board meeting yesterday but confirmed it was being reviewed.

She said: "In light of recent proposals for national reforms in the way the NHS delivers emergency care we are reviewing our air ambulance services to ensure they are capable of supporting future new models of care.

"We continue to be grateful for all the generous donations which enable us to have access to such a unique and essential air ambulance service." She said she could not comment on whether control rooms would be amalgamated. Steve West, director of operations at the trust, is heading up the review.

Background to the changes