6 Dec 2024
In October 2024, our advanced trauma team – who can fly to anywhere within the M25 in 11 minutes – were called out to 167 critically injured patients.
We attended Waltham Forest most frequently, with the second most visited borough being Greenwich. Our teams are deployed when someone is so critically injured they do not have time to get to hospital. Bringing the emergency department to the scene, our medics provide potentially life-saving procedures and once the patient is stabilised, they accompany them to the nearest major trauma centre.
In October, 51 of our patients (46 per cent) were taken to The Royal London Hospital, 30 patients (27 per cent) to St Mary’s Hospital, 14 (13 per cent) to King’s College Hospital and nine (eight per cent) to St George’s. We also flew one patient back to The Royal London Hospital, which is a rare occurrence.
Transport-related injuries were the most common mechanism of injury this month, resulting in 46 patients (28 per cent). Assault resulted in 39 patients (23 per cent), falls 19 (11 per cent), medical-related injuries 18 (11 per cent) and accidents 16 (10 per cent). There were also 29 patients who had other or unknown mechanisms of injury (17 per cent).
Treating these patients on scene included providing 27 rapid sequence intubations, 24 blood transfusions, 10 thoracotomies (open chest surgery) and more. The crew also performed the innovative procedure REBOA once during October, which involves inserting a balloon through a catheter to slow down internal bleeding. In 2021, our patient Steve received roadside REBOA when he was hit by a speeding car. You can watch his video to hear more about his story and REBOA.
We’re operational 24/7, 365 days a year, but we’re a charity, with 96 per cent of our funding reliant on public support. With your support, our medics will be there for the 10 million people who visit, live and work in London over the festive period. Thank you for helping us keep flying.