We have a policy to ask beneficiaries about the differences our funding has made over the last few months and of course to hear about their news, in particular looking to the future.

Our grant went towards the purchase of iViz Ultrasound – a vital piece of equipment that is key in supporting their Critical Care Paramedics to determine the best clinical treatment for a patient in an emergency by reviewing the condition and performance of the patient’s internal vital organs

‘This gives us the best possible chance of success,’ says Air Operations Officer, Steve Garvey.

The new AW169 Air Ambulance that is due to be operational from April 2020, is larger than the current aircraft and thanks to other donations and grants it will carry an increased range of medical equipment including a LUCAS 3 chest compression device, Epoch Blooding Analysis System, a Hamilton T1 Ventilator and a Paediatric Laryngoscope.

In 2019 Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked with 1,144 missions, an increase of 3% from 2018 and 30% from 2017. The present helicopter flew 764 missions and their rapid response vehicles went to 380 emergency call-outs. The Critical Care Team attended 594 medical incidents and 527 trauma incidents across Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly. The crew also flew 23 inter-hospital transfers to ensure seriously ill patients could get the treatment they needed.

Steve says, ‘We have seen our missions increase quite dramatically in the last two years and as a result, we have expanded our clinical team and are in the process of reviewing our operational flying hours to meet the demand for the service.’ Duchy Health Charity are proud to support one of Cornwall’s most vital life-saving charities. If you want to help them please phone 01637 889926 or email enquiries@cornwallairambulancetrust.org