15 Oct 2024
In August 2024, our advanced trauma teams – who are dispatched from The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel – attended to 189 patients.
Assault was the most common mechanism of injury, resulting in 53 patients (28 per cent). Accidents and medical injuries both resulted in 27 patients (14 per cent), transport-related injuries 23 (12 per cent) and falls 21 (11 per cent). There were also 38 patients who had other or unknown mechanisms of injuries.
Treating these critically injured individuals, who didn’t have time to get to hospital, required life-saving procedures to be administered on scene. This month our crew, who bring the emergency department to the roadside, performed 28 rapid sequence intubations, 16 blood transfusions, two thoracotomies and one REBOA. REBOA is an innovative procedure to help control internal bleeding. In 2021 we performed REBOA to save Steve’s life after he was hit by a car – you can watch his video here.
Westminster was the most visited borough in August 2024, followed by Greenwich, Hackney, Southwark and Tower Hamlets. Once the patient has been stabilised on scene, our crew usually then accompany them to the nearest major trauma centre in a road ambulance.
The Royal London Hospital received 64 patients (46 per cent), St Mary’s Hospital 34 patients (24 per cent), King’s College Hospital 28 (20 per cent) and St George’s nine (six per cent). Three patients throughout the month were flown, two to The Royal London and one to Broomfield.
After significant support from London, we recently concluded our Up Against Time appeal and brought into service two new Airbus H135 helicopters.
However it costs us £15 million a year to run our life-saving service and we need your help to keep flying. Can you support us today?