Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) is planning to upgrade to a specially equipped new helicopter next year, which will have full night flying capability.
As a young charity, this is considerable achievement, keeping HIOWAA at the forefront of helicopter emergency services care, and allowing the operator to continuously improve its service to the community. HIOWAA will begin operating the enhanced Airbus Helicopters EC135 T3 with effect from the second half of 2015.
The EMS provider’s partner Air Ambulance, Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance will also be upgrading to a new helicopter, and as a result, South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) will then have the benefit of two helicopters with full night flying capability, and a service that will offer our community progressively longer periods of cover, during the hours of daylight and darkness, 365 days of the year.
Since HIOWAA started flying seven years ago, it has achieved several landmark milestones, including the carrying of blood on board all flights, longer operating hours, and the introduction of regular doctor-led crewing. In May this year the unit undertook our 5,000th mission.
As HIOWAA’s service continues to evolve, it is demonstrating a real impact on patient outcomes. Figures from University Hospital, Southampton, HIOWAA’s designated Major Trauma Center, show that a significant number of trauma patients are being transported by the air ambulance – 45 in the past three months alone. Being able to fly after the hours of darkness will make a major difference to patient outcome, particularly during the winter, when the helicopter is able to reach those early evening rush hour incidents that we would previously not have been able to reach.
In August last year, HIOWAA launched its Minutes Matter campaign, a fundraising campaign, which has raised £1.5 million in cash and legacy pledges. It is largely thanks to this campaign, and the generosity and commitment of supporters, that HIOWAA is now able to take this important step forward.
