12 Jun 2014
The pioneering work of London’s Air Ambulance has been celebrated at this year’s Charity Awards. Blood on Board, the initiative to administer blood transfusion at the roadside has been awarded the top accolade for Healthcare and Medical Research.
London’s Air Ambulance began carrying blood on board in 2012 in response to the number of trauma patients it felt were dying unnecessarily from severe blood loss. Since its introduction more than 200 patients in the Capital have received an emergency blood transfusion and other air ambulance in the UK have followed the precedent set in London.
Lead clinician, responsible for Blood on Board, Dr Anne Weaver said:
“It took three years of hard work to make Blood on Board a reality for London. There were a lot a people we needed to convince that we could overcome the complexities surrounding the storage and transportation of blood and the strict rules governing transfusion. Thankfully we did, and did it successfully, so it’s extremely satisfying to see our efforts recognised in the form of this Charity Award”.
“The greatest reward however, will always be, seeing a patient survive and go on to resume a normal life as a result of what you were able to do for them”.
Giving his reaction to the award, Chief Executive Graham Hodgkin said:
“To be announced as the winner of the 2014 Healthcare and Medical Research Award at tonight’s Charity Awards, is just fantastic. It’s a proud moment for London’s Air Ambulance and for the medical staff, including those at Barts Health NHS Trust, who worked tirelessly with absolute determination to make Blood on Board possible”.