AirMed & Rescue Magazine’s Post

It's Air Ambulance Week 🚁 Air ambulances provide crucial, life-saving services, rapidly responding to emergencies and transporting patients to the care they need. However, to continue operating effectively, these vital services rely heavily on public donations. Here’s why your support is essential: 🔴Rapid response: air ambulances can reach remote or difficult-to-access areas quickly, ensuring timely medical intervention. 🔴 Advanced medical equipment: keeping helicopters equipped with the latest medical technology requires significant funding. 🔴 Training: maintaining skilled medical and aviation staff is costly, but their expertise is critical in emergencies. 🔴 Operational costs: from fuel to maintenance, running air ambulances incurs substantial expenses. Your donations help ensure that air ambulances can continue to save lives when every second counts. Please consider supporting if you are able. https://lnkd.in/eN9dc2Ch 

Did you know air ambulance missions are almost entirely funded by the generosity of local communities? Air ambulance charities receive no day-to-day Government funding! Air ambulances are facing an increase in dispatches to patients, together with the reality of being hit with fundraising challenges due to former lockdown implications and the cost-of living crisis. Air ambulance lifesaving services are not immune to the rise in costs of, for example, fuel and other necessary equipment such as medical monitors. In 2021, collectively, the UK’s air ambulances attended over 30,000 missions, and in 2023, over 46,000 missions, evidencing an approximate 53% increase. Moreover, the average cost of an air ambulance helicopter mission increased from £3,962 in 2021 to £4,110 in 2023, highlighting a 4% rise. In light of this, we are asking the next UK Government to act and to support the air ambulance community to acquire UK-wide grants and capital funding. This would help them to operate effectively with equitable service provision to continue to meet the growing demand and costs. If you believe that air ambulance charities in the UK require greater support to cope with the rising demand and costs, you can sign our open letter to the next UK Prime Minister here: https://buff.ly/3KHycgA #SavingMoreLivesTogether #GeneralElection #AirAmbulances

As we celebrate Air Ambulance Week 2024, we are proud to support Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in their mission. Thanks to innovative fundraising tools, like PayaCharity’s contactless devices, they are able to continue flying, saving lives, and making a lasting impact. Here's what they had to say: “PayaCharity’s devices have revolutionised our fundraising efforts. These products play a crucial role in bringing in the vital funds needed to keep us flying and saving lives across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight." 🚁💛 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is a lifeline for the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, delivering advanced critical care when it’s needed most. Operating 365 days a year, their expert Critical Care Team—comprised of paramedics, doctors, and pilots—responds to emergencies like road accidents and medical collapses, providing hospital-level care at the scene within minutes. It costs £17,750 a day to keep this life-saving service operational, and they rely entirely on donations to continue their vital work. #AirAmbulanceWeek2024 #HampshireAirAmbulance #SavingLives #PAYACharity #CommunitySupport #CriticalCare #FundraisingInnovation #ContactlessDonations #Fundraising

Air Ambulance charities are often asked: How do I request an air ambulance? 🚁 When you call your local emergency number, emergency dispatchers are trained to determine the most suitable response, which may include dispatching an air ambulance if necessary based on the patient's condition and location. 📞 #Didyouknow #AirAmbulancesUK #AirAmbulance

🚁 Ever wondered how Air Ambulance charities respond to emergencies? It starts with a 999 call, connecting the caller to a call dispatcher who gathers essential details about the patient's condition and location. The severity of the emergency is assessed and ranked, leading to the immediate dispatch of the nearest road ambulance. If necessary, the Air Ambulance crew is notified and can be airborne in just minutes. With an average response time of around 16 minutes, air ambulances ensure timely, critical care. Remember, this process may differ slightly between air ambulance charities, but the commitment to saving lives remains the same! #AirAmbulance #EmergencyServices #LifesavingCare

Air Ambulance charities are often asked: Do you fly patients to hospital? 🚁 Occasionally, when flying is deemed the quickest and most suitable method of hospital transfer, Air Ambulance charities utilise the helicopter for patient transportation. Air Ambulance charities often opt to transfer patients in ground ambulances. This allows the crew to maintain close monitoring and provide ongoing specialised care during the journey to the hospital. 🚑 #didyouknow #AirAmbulancesUK #AirAmbulances

As the General Election approaches, we’re calling on all political parties in Westminster to stand behind the lifesaving work of air ambulance charities across the UK. Did you know that you may have local Prospective Parliamentary Candidates and party volunteers knock on your door to discuss why you should vote for them and their party?   By using our suggested doorstep campaigning toolkit, you can effectively highlight air ambulance key issues with local candidates right at your doorstep, if air ambulance charities are close to your heart. Our four key issues that you can discuss are:   1. Access to, and Safeguarding of, Hospital Helipads and Community Landing Sites We want to ensure that all new and existing Major Trauma Centres and specialist hospitals in the UK have 24/7 accessible on-site helipads. We are urging Local Planning Authorities to develop a specialised safeguarding process to protect hospital helipads. We are aiming to ensure that air ambulance charities are involved in planning discussions about hospital helipads and community landing sites.   2. Increased Demand and Increased Cost Air ambulance charities are experiencing greater demand and higher operational expenses. It is crucial that the next UK Government supports them in obtaining UK-wide grants and capital funding to help them meet the growing demand and costs.   3. Safe Access to Patient Data To support air ambulance charities to continue to improve patient care and outcomes, we want to make sure they have safe and secure access to NHS patient data.   4. Statutory Levy for Lotteries We want the next UK Government to agree to a zero rate of statutory levy on lotteries and advocate for the continuation of voluntary contribution - recognising the unique contributions lotteries make to charitable causes. You have the power to help air ambulance charities to save even more lives and remain at the forefront of pre-hospital care. Every voice counts in calling for action. Join us in urging all political parties to commit to supporting the UK’s air ambulances.    You can access our Doorstep Campaigning Toolkit here: https://lnkd.in/d_FgKw4m #SavingMoreLivesTogether #AirAmbulances #GeneralElection #DoorstepCampaigning 

Have you ever wondered how air ambulance charities decide on which vehicle to dispatch? 🚁🚗 The Emergency Assistants make the choice in the control room after considering a number of variables, such as the incident's location and the crew's whereabouts. The primary objective is to swiftly deploy doctors and paramedics to the patient's location, and at times, a critical care car is more a more appropriate for rapid response, especially in congested urban areas where landing a helicopter might pose challenges.

It was May 2004. My father was playing (loose term) a round at Finham Golf Club in Coventry. He felt unwell, to the great concern of those around him. In next to no time, help arrived. Dramatically (these things can't be done otherwise) and expertly, the air ambulance landed on the course, and he was airlifted to hospital with a suspected cardiac event. 𝗗𝗮𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟰 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. I can't know for certain what would have happened without Your Local Air Ambulance WNDLR that day. But I do know that it couldn't have been any better. Hence I owe and give my 💯 support to #AirAmbulanceWeek 🚁, which runs until 15 September - and to #EmergencyServicesDay 🚑🚓🚒 today. This year's #AirAmbulanceWeek message is as powerful as it is simple: "𝙏𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮'𝙨 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙏𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬'𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧." No explanation required. Maybe what does need explaining - or, at least, calling out, however - are some of the compelling facts and figures: 🚁there are 21 air ambulance charities, co-ordinated by Air Ambulances UK 🚁collectively, they deliver > 45,000 missions each year (126 per day) 🚁they deploy the UK's 37 helicopters (to give you a comparator, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, the largest of the 10 ambulance trusts in the country, has c450 emergency ambulances) 🚁air ambulances are, effectively, 185mph acute hospitals with the capacity and capability to carry out ultra-complex procedures such as open heart surgery 🚁they are often the only viable solution for the busiest (like major cities) or least accessible (like the 5th hole) places 🚁clinical staff are typically seconded in from neighbouring NHS organisations 🚁the charities (except in Scotland) receive no direct day-to-day government funding and depend almost entirely on charitable donations 🚁the average cost of a mission is £4,110. We're all struggling at the moment. We all have competing priorities. There are so many worthy causes that vie for our attention. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁. The map below shows the 21 charities. I ask you to do whatever you can, howsoever small, to support your local service. A donation would be best, but your awareness and advocacy could also make a vital difference. Let's continue to be able to look up in relief when we see the 🚁. Let's make #AirAmbulanceWeek the success it deserves. #TodaysSupporterTomorrowsLifesaver #999Day #AAW2024 #AirAmbulance #ChildrensAirAmbulance #TheGovEnhanceGuru #HughesAMuse

In anticipation of the upcoming UK General Election, we are urging all political parties to commit to addressing the key challenges affecting air ambulance charities across the UK. 1. Hospital Helipads and Community Landing Sites Ensure that all new and existing UK Major Trauma Centres and specialist hospitals (such as cardiac centres) have 24/7 accessible on-site primary hospital helipads. Assist Local Planning Authorities in developing a specialised safeguarding process to protect UK-wide hospital helipads against adverse effects from planning and developments. Establish an efficient consultation pathway to proactively engage Air Ambulances UK and air ambulance charities in strategic planning discussions, concerning hospital helipads and community landing sites in the UK. 2. Patient Data Secure safe access to NHS patient data for air ambulance charities to enable them to gain further insight into the full patient pathway and ultimately the patient outcome.  3. Increased Demand and Cost Support the air ambulance community to enhance methods of income generation through distribution of UK-wide grants and capital funding, ensuring that air ambulance charities can operate effectively with equitable service provision to continue to meet the surge in demand and increased operational costs.  4. Statutory Levy Oppose the proposed statutory levy of 0.1% of 'gross gambling yield' (GGY) on lotteries. Advocate for a zero rate of statutory levy for lotteries and a continuation of the current system of voluntary contributions, in recognition of the unique contribution lotteries make to charitable causes, such as air ambulances.  Together, we can make a real difference to enable air ambulance charities to save even more lives and remain at the forefront of pre-hospital care, helping to reduce loss of life in people with life-threatening injuries or a medical emergency. You can play your part and help support Air Ambulances UK and the UK’s Air Ambulance charities by sharing this post! Together, let's make a difference! #AirAmbulances #GeneralElection #Manifesto #SavingLives