Date: 07 Oct 2003
Time: 10:26
The latest statistics, revealed by the UK’s Air Ambulance Foundation (AAF), reveal a significant increase in the number of emergency call-outs requiring assistance from air ambulances. The figures were released as the Air Ambulance Foundation prepared for National Air Ambulance Day on 26 September 2003.
The report, which contains information collated from 15 UK regional air ambulance services, shows an overall increase of 16% over the same period in 2002 (January to June). In human terms, this means that an additional 1000 people (many suffering life-threatening conditions) benefited from the fast and flexible response of the air ambulance service.
“With each air ambulance mission costing £1000, in financial terms this means that air ambulances have had to attract an additional £1 million in donations over the last six months,” the AAF told Air-Rescuetek.
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) represent the greatest number of call-outs which (at 46% of the total) have increased by 16%. Sporting incidents, in particular horse riding, show the greatest increase overall with call-outs to horse-related injuries up by 40% on last year.
The statistics indicate an obvious trend towards the greater usage of air ambulances, not just for RTAs but also for medical emergencies, collapses and accidents in isolated and rural areas.
“These latest figures prove that the air ambulance is an essential part of emergency medical response in the UK,” said Jon Scourse, executive director of the AAF. “The AAF needs to raise substantial funds to sustain existing services and expand into three new regions not currently covered by a dedicated air ambulance. Add to this the need to upgrade ten helicopters to meet new regulations, at a cost of £500,000 each year, and it becomes a real possibility that some air ambulances will be at risk.”
The AAF can be contacted on tel: +44 (0)1256 492852 or via the website on www.theaaf.org