Air ambulance launches night time emergency flights

£5m service covering five counties

TWO new, specially-equipped air ambulances have been launched to attend night-time emergencies.

The £5m service, which began flying yesterday, Wednesday, March 16, will cover Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and the Isle of Wight and is run by a partnership between the Thames Valley and Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulance charities.

The Airbus H135 aircraft, which are fitted with spotlights and carry night-vision goggles, can be deployed, year round, for 19 hours a day and until 2am.

Previously the air ambulances only operated from 7am until 7pm.

Both air ambulance services will remain operational in their respective counties for 12 hours every day and then take it in turn for a period of 16 consecutive nights to cover the seven-hour night-service for the whole of the South Central region and the Isle of Wight.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance chairman Sir Tim Jenner said doctor-led crews could provide an advanced level of critical care to stabilise patients at the scene, identify their medical needs and get them to hospital for specialist care in the quickest time possible.

“A full range of life-saving equipment is carried on board, including two state-of-the-art ultrasound devices, a blood transfusion kit and an immediate blood analyser, helping to shave off valuable seconds in the golden hour,” said Sir Tim.

“Our teams work tirelessly each day and night; not only to deliver a unique life-saving service but to develop their knowledge and training to ensure we continue to advance on-scene patient care.

“It is also important to remember that our ambition of delivering a gold standard service is dependent on the generosity of the people, companies and organisations who support us, to whom we are very grateful.”