Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance responded to a third more emergency incidents in the first half of 2024 than in the same period last year. Statistics reveal that the life-saving charity’s doctors, dispatchers, pilots and paramedics responded to 1,183 emergency call-outs from across the region, with the bulk of the missions coming from Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Gosport, Fareham and Newport. On average there was an extra 2 patients every day who needed the specialist skills of the air ambulance team. The service surpassed 1,000 call-outs in June, with May (222) the busiest month for the service – its busiest month since July 2019. On average, each mission costs £3,500, with the charity needing to raise around £10million this calendar year to remain fully operational. The charity points towards an increase in Critical Care Paramedic car shifts, which run in conjunction with the team on the helicopter, and successful clinical recruitment over the past 12 months as to why it can respond to more patients, more regularly. The team only attend the most seriously ill and injured patients in the region and can provide hospital-level care at the beachside, roadside, countryside or bedside. The most frequent calls for help were for cardiac arrests, accidental injuries and road traffic collisions. The service runs entirely on donations from the public, and points to its dedicated supporters who ensure it can continue to be there for patients in need. Dr Simon Hughes, Clinical Lead for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, said:
“Every day we give our patients, their friends and families the best chance of not only survival, but a successful recovery. Nobody knows if or when they’re going to need us, but a cardiac arrest, medical incident or road traffic collision can happen to anyone, anywhere at anytime. “We are 100% funded by the generosity of the public that we serve. And we are all incredibly humbled and grateful to everyone who continues to keep us responding to the people who need us most.”
How many of these calls are ” it’s free, it’s there, let ise it” ? Like everything else, the serious incident will gradually become lower and lower.
End up going out for a toothache.
Before the agro starts I support and donate to the HIWAA.
I don’t know where we would be without these guys – thank you for everything you do.
Of course it is climate change as our Government tell you…
help.. I’ve dropped an ice-cream on my knee, I can hear the helicopter…Yay for woke Britain..
Like much free help in the UK, the kind British donate, and the third world just takes, never gives.
Still waiting for a Black Band Aid, or any other event where‘giving’ not taking is involved.
Probably due to vaccine injuries and speeding incidents on
the Island.