Wiltshire Air Ambulance completes helicopter review

Wiltshire Air Ambulance has decided to continue with its existing helicopter until at least 2025.

Thursday, 03 March 2022

It follows a review by our charity’s board and leadership team, which formed part of our three-year strategy launched last August.

We have used our existing Bell 429 helicopter since becoming a standalone operation in 2015.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance director of income generation and communications Barbara Gray explained: “As part of our three-year strategy, we said we would hold a review into our helicopter.

“That has now been completed and we’ve decided that given the unknown economic impact of the global pandemic, it is not the right time to make a change.

“In 2025 the helicopter will be ten years old and that feels like the right milestone to review the situation again.”

We have already increased the number of doctors on shift, which also featured in the charity’s three-year strategy.

The aircrew has been strengthened by three hospital doctors - Maria Smith, Rosie Furse and Reuben Cooper – who had previously provided ad-hoc voluntary shifts for several years.

There are also succession plans being drawn up as our chairman is due to step down in 2023, and our chief executive retires a year later.

For the 2021-22 financial year, our charity’s annual income target increased to £4 million, the equivalent of around £11,000 a day.

Barbara added: “With fuel and energy bills rises, plus national insurance increases and the cost of living going up, we know it’s going to be a tough year.

“However, we need your support more than ever, whether that’s through playing our lottery or raffle, by leaving a gift in your will or by joining our regular giving scheme.

“Without the generosity of the general public and local businesses, we wouldn’t be where we are today and with your ongoing support we can continue to be there for the people of Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas.”

An update from Barbara

Our latest missions

Find out where we have been carrying out our lifesaving work across Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas recently. 

Location: Tidworth

Attended in: Helicopter

Crew Attending
Ben Abbott

Ben Abbott
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Critical Care and Clinical Lead

Adam Khan

Adam Khan
Critical Care Paramedic

Simon Gough MBE

Simon Gough MBE
Line Pilot

Location: Calne

Attended in: Helicopter

Transported to: Great Western Hospital, Swindon

Crew Attending
Ben Abbott

Ben Abbott
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Critical Care and Clinical Lead

Adam Khan

Adam Khan
Critical Care Paramedic

Simon Gough MBE

Simon Gough MBE
Line Pilot

Location: Bath

Attended in: Helicopter

Crew Attending
Trainee critical care paramedic Roxy Boromond

Roxy Boromand
Trainee Critical Care Paramedic

Craig Wilkins

Craig Wilkins
Critical Care Paramedic

George Williams

George Williams
Line Pilot

Location: Weston-super-Mare

Attended in: Helicopter

Transported to: Southmead Hospital, Bristol

Crew Attending
James Hubbard

James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic

Jono Holme

Jono Holme
Critical Care Doctor

Simon Gough MBE

Simon Gough MBE
Line Pilot

Location: Yatton

Attended in: Helicopter

Crew Attending
James Hubbard

James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic

Jono Holme

Jono Holme
Critical Care Doctor

Simon Gough MBE

Simon Gough MBE
Line Pilot

Location: Swindon

Attended in: Helicopter

Crew Attending
James Hubbard

James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic

Jono Holme

Jono Holme
Critical Care Doctor

Simon Gough MBE

Simon Gough MBE
Line Pilot

Location: Bath

Attended in: Helicopter

Crew Attending
Trainee critical care paramedic Roxy Boromond

Roxy Boromand
Trainee Critical Care Paramedic

Adam Khan

Adam Khan
Critical Care Paramedic

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello
Line Pilot

Location: Bradford-on-Avon

Attended in: Helicopter

Transported to: Bristol Royal Hospital for Children

Location: North Bradley

Attended in: Helicopter

Transported to: Royal United Hospital, Bath

Crew Attending
Enda Doran

Enda Doran
Trainee Critical Care Paramedic

James Hubbard

James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic

Medical director Maria Smith

Maria Smith
Medical Director

Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello
Line Pilot

Location: Bath

Attended in: Helicopter

Crew Attending
James Hubbard

James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic

Medical director Maria Smith

Maria Smith
Medical Director

Fin Collins

Fin Collins
Line Pilot

Have you been treated by us?

If you or someone you know has been treated by our critical care team, it would be great to hear from you. We can arrange for a visit to the airbase for the chance to meet our pilots, paramedics and doctors.