PATIENTS needing urgent medical care will not have access to the region’s air ambulance today as the service has been suspended temporarily.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance has today confirmed that due to “operational issues” with Sterling Aviation, which supplies its two helicopters, they will not be using their aircraft today.

Officials have reassured the public that another aircraft will be in place by tomorrow as part of their contingency plan and there will be no change in the staffing levels available, although the helicopter will not be branded with the EAAA name.

Steve Whitby, deputy chief executive of the EAAA, said: “Although the current situation with Sterling Aviation is extremely regrettable we have quickly activated our contingency plan to ensure a smooth handover to a new contractor as an interim measure.

“Of course, our main concern is that the charity continues to provide a first class air ambulance service to the people of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

“Thanks to a strong contingency plan and excellent team work within EAAA and our partners we will achieve this.”

The charity added that the alternative aircraft would have been available earlier but adverse weather conditions prevented all air ambulance activity in East Anglia today.