2023 was busiest year yet for North West Air Ambulance
The North West Air Ambulance Charity has announced that 2023 was its busiest year to date, with over 3,100 mission callouts. This marked an increase of 300 calls compared to the previous year, demonstrating the growing demand for the vital pre-hospital care services they provide.
Throughout the five-county region, the charity was called upon 162 times in Cumbria alone from January 1 to December 31. The confirmed figures reveal that cardiac arrest and other medical incidents accounted for more than 950 callouts, while road traffic collisions and accidental injuries totaled 780 and 680 respectively.
Andy Duncan, Lead Paramedic, emphasized the significant impact of the charity’s work on critically ill patients. He stated, Our crew make a lifesaving difference to those who need us most. The critically ill patients we treat are at the heart of everything we do, including every decision we make as a charity. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, more patients than ever before have received enhanced pre-hospital care from our dedicated and highly skilled crew.
The North West Air Ambulance Charity has come a long way since it began operations with just one helicopter in 1999. It now operates with three helicopters and four critical care vehicles, two of which are stationed at Barton Airbase in Manchester, and the third at Blackpool Airbase.
In response to the increased demand, the charity started operating for 12 hours a day since the start of 2023, with their ‘night-car’ service available on Friday and Saturday nights from 6 pm to 2 am. This expansion in operating hours has resulted in a significant rise in mission callouts, with more than 900 catered to by the critical care vehicles alone.
David Briggs, Director of Operations, expressed gratitude towards the charity’s supporters and addressed the record-breaking year. He said, Each year, the number of missions we attend increases, and 2023 was our busiest year yet. We remain ever grateful to our amazing supporters; without them, we wouldn’t be able to continue saving lives across the North West. The charity is solely funded by public donations; we receive no government funding and are not part of the NHS.
As the North West Air Ambulance Charity prepares to celebrate its 25th birthday in 2024, it remains committed to its crucial life-saving service across the northwest region. Those interested in supporting the charity’s efforts can visit their website at nwairambulance.org.uk.
In conclusion, the North West Air Ambulance Charity’s exceptional dedication and extensive services have enabled them to handle a record-breaking number of mission callouts in 2023. Their commitment to providing enhanced pre-hospital care to critically ill patients continues to make a lifesaving difference, thanks to the generosity of their supporters. As they look forward to their 25th anniversary, they remain focused on their mission to save lives across the North West region.
