Wiltshire Air Ambulance completes helicopter review
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: Ludgershall
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Ben Abbott
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Critical Care and Clinical Lead
Location: Swindon
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Ben Abbott
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Critical Care and Clinical Lead
Location: Salisbury
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Ben Abbott
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Critical Care and Clinical Lead
Location: Malmesbury
Attended in: Helicopter
Crew Attending
George Williams
Line Pilot
Paul "Rocky" Rock
Critical Care Paramedic
Dolly McPherson
Critical Care Paramedic
Location: Tidworth
Attended in: Helicopter
Crew Attending
George Williams
Line Pilot
Paul "Rocky" Rock
Critical Care Paramedic
Dolly McPherson
Critical Care Paramedic
Location: Yatton Keynell
Attended in: Helicopter
Crew Attending
George Williams
Line Pilot
Paul "Rocky" Rock
Critical Care Paramedic
Dolly McPherson
Critical Care Paramedic
Location: Taunton
Attended in: Helicopter
Crew Attending
Elvis Costello
Line Pilot
Matt Metcalf
Critical Care Paramedic
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Location: Corsham
Attended in: Helicopter
Crew Attending
Elvis Costello
Line Pilot
Matt Metcalf
Critical Care Paramedic
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Location: Lawrence Hill, Bristol
Attended in: Helicopter
Transported to: Southmead Hospital, Bristol
Crew Attending
Elvis Costello
Line Pilot
Matt Metcalf
Critical Care Paramedic
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Location: Wellow
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
Paul "Rocky" Rock
Critical Care Paramedic
Adam Khan
Critical Care Paramedic
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.