Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance

G-LNAC Agusta Westland 169 Helicopter Specialist Aviation Services Ltd (31930013686)

Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance is a charitable organization that provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) for the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire in the United Kingdom. Established in 1994, the service is tasked with providing rapid response medical care to people who have suffered trauma or serious medical emergencies. The air ambulance is capable of reaching any point within the two counties in less than 25 minutes and, on average, can attend to three missions a day.

History

The Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance was founded in 1994, in response to the recognized need for a quick response medical service in the rural areas of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, where the time to reach a hospital by road could significantly impact patient outcomes. Since its inception, the service has grown significantly, both in terms of the number of missions flown and the sophistication of the care it can provide in-flight.

Operations

The air ambulance operates 365 days a year, with its crew consisting of highly trained paramedics and doctors who specialize in pre-hospital care. The helicopter, a state-of-the-art aircraft equipped with advanced medical equipment, is stationed at RAF Waddington, south of Lincoln. This location allows for rapid deployment to incidents across the two counties.

The service is funded entirely by donations from the public, receiving no direct government funding. It costs approximately £2.5 million per year to maintain the service, covering operational costs such as fuel, maintenance of the helicopter, and medical equipment.

Aircraft

The service has operated several types of helicopters over the years, upgrading its fleet to meet the growing demand for its services and to take advantage of advancements in medical and aviation technology. The current aircraft is an AgustaWestland AW169, chosen for its speed, range, and capacity to carry a full medical team along with all the necessary life-saving equipment.

Impact

The Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance has had a profound impact on the communities it serves. By providing rapid access to critical care, the service plays a crucial role in improving survival and recovery rates for severe trauma patients. The air ambulance is often called to incidents such as road traffic collisions, industrial accidents, and serious medical emergencies like heart attacks and strokes.

Challenges and Future Directions

One of the primary challenges facing the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance is securing ongoing funding to ensure the continuation of its services. As a charity, it relies heavily on community support, fundraising events, and donations. Looking to the future, the organization aims to continue expanding its operations, potentially incorporating new technologies such as drones for rapid scene assessment and to further reduce response times.

See Also

• Air ambulances in the United Kingdom
• Emergency medical services in the United Kingdom
• Helicopter Emergency Medical Service