The crew of Coastguard Rescue 175 have been praised by the NHS after the helicopter was called into action to airlift a woman in labour yesterday (Christmas Day).
Whilst most of us were sat down for our annual Christmas dinner, the crew of Rescue 175 were airborne in response to an emergency call from St Mary’s Hospital.
Island Echo understands that a local woman, about to give birth, required immediate specialist treatment on the mainland, which resulted in Rescue 175 being scrambled from Lee-on-Solent.
The mum-to-be was flown directly to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, accompanied by a midwife from the maternity department at St Mary’s.
Meanwhile, it’s understood that the grandmother-to-be was rushed across the Solent by a private RIB, to be at the bedside.
Lois Howell, Director of Governance and Risk at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, took to Twitter yesterday to praise the efforts of the Coastguard.
She said:
“Thank you to HM Coastguard colleagues for helping us out with an urgent transfer today.
Article continues below this advertisement ”Everyone at [the] Isle of Wight NHS is so grateful for all you do for us.
”And thank you to QA Hospital for being there at the other end”.
It’s understood mum and baby are doing well.
