Air ambulance charity’s new helicopter responds to 10 callouts in first week

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s new H145 helicopter has been deployed to 10 incidents during its first week - with a highly experienced pilot and two critical care paramedics on-board during each mission.

The new five blade air ambulance entered service on 1 January and has been sent to patients in critical need of advanced care across Shropshire, Worcestershire, the West Midlands and Staffordshire, giving them the best chance of recovery and survival.

These incidents included cardiac arrests and a serious fall.

The helicopter, registered G-HMAA, is Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s third wholly-owned helicopter, and replaced the organisation’s last leased aircraft from Babcock International Group.

It is based at the charity’s Tatenhill airbase, near Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire and the advanced clinical crew will be dispatched daily to patients who need enhanced care rapidly on scene, before being conveyed to hospital.

Allister McNeil, critical care paramedic for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, who was on duty when the new helicopter came into service, said: “It was an honour to be on shift on our new helicopter’s first day of operation and we are already seeing the benefit of the new aircraft.

“The larger interior and even smoother flight due to the aircraft having five blades will aid our ability to give patients the best treatment during their onward transfer to hospital.”

The new H145 has been funded through careful financial planning, support from the communities and local businesses within the region and two generous grant giving organisations, Denise Coates Foundation and The Kildare Trust.