2021 sees 30% rise in call-outs for Bristol based air ambulance charity
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) have announced a 30% rise in the number of call-outs in the first six months of this year compared to 2020.
The Bristol-based charity’s Critical Care Team responded to 981 patients in urgent need from 1 January to 30 June 2021, compared to 759 patients over the same period in 2020.
On average, they are called to over five critically ill or injured patients a day, however, numbers so far this year are already running higher than pre-pandemic call-outs in 2019. The crew experienced their busiest operational month to date in April this year, responding to 192 call-outs in a single month – that’s one call out every three hours on average.
Chief Executive at the charity, Anna Perry, said: “As expected, we’re experiencing high levels of calls with the easing of lockdown restrictions. We want to be able to respond to everyone who needs us, yet sadly, that’s not possible with the numbers we are seeing at the moment.”
So far this year, 46 people have needed GWAAC’s Critical Care Team but not got the help they needed due to a lack of resources.
“We have two crews on shift every day who are working tirelessly, however, there will still be patients we cannot get to as we are limited by our resources.”
Despite the difficulties faced throughout the pandemic, the Critical Care Doctors and Specialist Paramedics of GWAAC have continued to bring their lifesaving care to those in need every single day.
The crew have responded to 279 incidents in Bristol so far this year, averaging over 10 people a week in need of their emergency pre-hospital care. They bring the skills and expertise of a hospital emergency department direct to the scene, saving valuable time when someone’s life is in danger.
As well as responding to patients in their core areas, the Critical Care Team have been called to help over 100 patients in surrounding areas, including Wiltshire, Wales and Somerset.
Each mission costs an average of £2,000 and they rely solely on charitable donations and income to provide the service to our local communities. Earlier this year, the charity launched their first ever urgent appeal, as COVID-19 restrictions mean they are facing a £250,000 loss in income.
Anna Perry, CEO, said: “We’re seeing this increase in demand at a time when our fundraising has taken a real hit. As our communities need us, we too need them more than ever, so we’re asking those who can to donate and help us be there for more people in the future.”
To find out more or support your local air ambulance, visit www.gwaac.com.
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