This week's release of various articles putting London's Air Ambulance in the spotlight has reaped great rewards!!
We have received a great response from the public in terms of donations and supportive phonecalls along with valuble and positive feedback from corporate sources!
to view the main article which was published on Tuesday, click HERE
The first issue of the new London's Air Ambulance (HEMS) Magazine is now available for download here:
We're also being rather cheeky and will be using this post as a dumping ground for a number of other documents for download over the next few weeks, including our scarily early note to include in all your Christmas Cards this year, reminding people to save their stamps for London's Air Ambulance:
Download microsoft_word_christmas_stamps_flyer.pdf
Download direct_debit_form_2007.1.pdf
Download gift_aid_form_2007.1.pdf
Download fundraising_pack_2007.pdf
Download fundraising_tips.pdf
Download parachuting_information_pack_2007.pdf
NEW: Direct Debit Form: Download direct_debit_form_2007_1.pdf
The team at London's Air Ambulance are proud to unveil a new logo, designed by the creative design consultancy Bite CP.
The new logo combines the two elements of helicopter rotor blades and the universally recognised medical cross symbol. The combination perfectly symbolises the speed and authority of an emergency intensive medical care service which has become indispensable to those living and working in the capital.
Full Press Release: Download new_logo_press_release.pdf
Congratulations to Paramedic Shaun Rock and Doctor Per Bredmose who were recently announced to be the Regional Winners of the Vodafone Life Savers Awards 2007 for the London area.
Their nomination has now been put to the national judges of these prestigious awards
While the first case illustrates how the Air Ambulance team responds to road traffic accidents - a common occurrence on the streets of London - the second case recognised by the judging panel is very different, and definitely not so common.
School pupil James Yeaman was celebrating his 14th Birthday with a game of cricket during a PE lesson at his school in Dagenham on the 25th April 2007 when he was struck on the head by a cricket ball. He was seen by the school nurse, and a London Ambulance Service crew who made the decision to call in the Air Ambulance Team on examining him.
Paramedic Neil Bizzell and Dr Gareth Davies were on duty, and were flown quickly to the scene by HEMS pilots Richard Shuttleworth and Jonny Crewdson, also accompanies by Dr Tony Kehoe, completing his HEMS training. After landing the helicopter on the school playing fields the team wuickly identified that James was suffering from an extradural haematoma (a large collection of blood within the skull, pressing on the brain). In situations such as this, when a serious head injury is identified, the time between diagnosis and surgery is incredibly important - this is when a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service shows just how important aero-medical evacuation can be. After administering brief treatment at the scene, the team flew James to the neurosurgical facility at the Royal London Hospital.
Following surgery to evacuate the blood clot James was moved to the Paediatric Critical Care Unit and only 4 days after the accident he was back at home with an impressive scar to remember his 14th birthday by.
Since his recovery James has become a local celebrity after meeting DJ Johnny Vaughan at the hospital, and later mingling with Cleo Rocos, Ed Stewart, Linda Barker, Anita Dobson and Kate Adie at our fundraising garden party in July 2007. He has also appeared in several local and regional newspapers and hosted a fundraising school fair at his school in Dagenham for London's Air Ambulance.
Congratulations to Neil and Gareth for being shortlisted for the awards, and to all those who were involved in the case, including our own Pilots, a London Ambulance Service Crew, A&E Staff, the neurosurgical team, the staff of the Paediatric Critical Care Unit and the Trauma Ward at The Royal London Hospital.
London's Air Ambulance are proud to announce that two of our medical teams have been shortlisted for a Vodafone Lifesaver Award 2007 in the London Region. While our teams were simply doing their jobs, it's wonderful to see their efforts recognised. The two cases nominated are very different in nature, but both illustrate just why our service is so vital in taking highly qualified individuals and the necessary equipment directly to the scene of accidents in order to deliver immediate medical care.
Case I:
On the 7th April 2007 Paramedic Shaun Rock and Doctor Per Bredmose attended a call to South London for a cyclist who had been hit by a van. The cyclist suffered severe facial injuries which obstructed his airway and removed part of his jawbone. Both arms were also severely injured, with large amounts of muscle and skin missing in addition to multiple broken bones.
The team worked with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) crews, a passing GP, and police at the scene of the accident to stabilise the patient before administering a general anaesthetic and carefully transporting the piece of jawbone along with the patient to The Royal London Hospital.
Our teams responded to 548 Road Traffic Accidents in 2006 involving serious trauma injuries requiring immediate medical care. In cases such as this, the HEMS team were able to provide advanced medical treatments at the roadside, and manage the pain and severe injuries of the patient by administering a general anaesthetic. The delivery of a general anaesthetic at the roadside can dramatically speed up the process of treatment once the patient reaches hospital, in this case it also reduced the risk of further obstruction of the airway and was a humanitarian reponse to the pain of the patient.
The dramatic rescue was only the start of a long period of recovery for this cyclist, a recovery period which would not have been possible without the efforts of a huge team of emergency services personel and medical staff including 6 LAS staff (Matthew Button, Andrew Glover, Derek Daly, Lisa Smale, Jacqueline Quaile, Gary Phillips), a good samaritan GP, police, highly skilled maxillo facial and plastic surgery teams, the staff of the Intensive Care Unit and the Trauma Ward of the Royal London Hospital. This combined response enabled the cyclist to leave hospital only 23 days after admission, having received immediate care at the roadside to dramatically increase his chances of a full recovery, and a combined response from emergency and healthcare workers from several sectors.
The staff and crew of London's Air Ambulance invite you to join us at two sporting fundraising events this autumn.
The thrill seekers among you will enjoy taking part in our Pro-Kart Endurance Race on Wednesday 26th September 2007. As a team of 4 to 8 members you can race around the Outdoor International Circuit at Buckmore Park in Kent. Racing professional karts reaching speeds of up to 70mph all drivers will be fully briefed and provided with racing gear before driving a practice lap and honing your skills in the hopes of winning a trophy.
London's Air Ambulance Charity Golf Challenge on Monday 1st October 2007 will be hosted by the legendary Ed Srewart at the beautiful Foxhils Club and Resort, Surrey. Enter a four ball for the chance to win amazing on course prizes including an Alfa Romeo Spider, Nike Sling Shot OSS Irons and golfing weekends in Portugal and at The Belfry. Tickets include 18 holes of competitive golf, refreshments, a Champagne Reception, full 3 course dinner, after dinner entertainment, trophies for winning teams, and the opportunity to bid on some stunning items in our Charity Auction.
For further information on either of these events or to book a place for your team, please contact our Fundraising Office, visit our website or download the booking forms below:
Download go_karting_flyer_september_2007.pdf
Download gokarting_booking_info_september_2007.pdf
London's Air Ambulance this week launched a new appeal for funds. The full press release can be downloaded here
Download hems_launch_new_appeal.doc
Despite some recent press reports to the contrary, London's Air Ambulance is not in danger of closure at this time, the charity is at this time only launching a fresh appeal for funds in preparation for plans to expand the operational hours of our service.
Update: London's Air Ambulance (HEMS) are not associated with 'London Health Emergency' and are not in danger of closure (23rd July, Ed)
To donate to London's Air Ambulance, please visit our website
A big Thank You to all our volunteers who worked so hard on Friday and Saturday to raise money for London's Air Ambulance at venues across London. To see some photos of some of the volunteers collecting during the weekend, take a look at our Fundraising Gallery.
We're busy counting all the buckets today, and we'll let you know how much we raised as soon as possible.
A big Thank You also to everyone who generously donated money to one of our collectors on Friday or Saturday. It was nice to see so many friendly faces, and to chat with some busy commuters at Liverpool Street Station as they headed home to enjoy the weekend sunshine.
