4th Nov 2016
Politicians from across London have joined forces to pledge support for London's Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers a 24/7 advanced trauma team to critically injured people.
MPs, peers and GLA members gathered in Parliament on Tuesday to congratulate the charity on winning the Pride of Britain Emergency Services Award .
Advanced trauma doctors and paramedics also attended and set up medical demonstrations so guests could try out life-saving medical treatment on realistic dummies.
Politicians were able to meet the helicopter pilots, fire crew and former patients at the event, hosted by London MPs Rushanara Ali and Boris Johnson — key supporters of the charity.
Welcoming guests to the event Rushanara Ali MP said:
"It's wonderful to celebrate the tireless work London’s Air Ambulance does to support people across our city"
Rushanara explained to the guests that London's Air Ambulance had been named winner at this year’s Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, which were broadcast on ITV on Tuesday night. The charity was recognised for its use of a ground-breaking procedure on patient Vicky— known as REBOA (Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta) - to prevent patients from bleeding to death after major trauma. She introduced a video showing the procedure being performed on Vicky, her constituent, who also attended the reception.
Dr Anne Weaver, Consultant with London’s Air Ambulance then spoke to the room of over 100 guests to explain why the charity plays such a crucial role, and what politicians can do to support;
“Trauma is the biggest killer in under 45s, even in children. So we deliver the hospital to the roadside, to our patients, when they need it most. We work alongside our NHS partners, Barts Health Trust and the London Ambulance Service to improve the outcome for so many people whose deaths are preventable.
London’s Air Ambulance is there for the 10 million people who live and work in London. As influencers in your constituencies please do what you can to help us serve London and spread the message we are a charity”.
Closing the speeches Boris Johnson MP urged politicians to support the charity in a call to action and said
"Thank you for everything you are doing to help save lives in London”
Speaking about the House of Commons event, CEO of London’s Air Ambulance, Charles Newitt said,
“This was our most successful Parliamentary Reception with a high turnout of politicians from across London and across the political parties. It was a pleasure to be able to meet with them, explain more about our charity, and receive their pledges of support”
Since the charity started in 1989, it has treated more than 35,000 patients. Some of those former patients met their local MP at the event to share their stories.
All London MPs and Assembly members were invited to the reception, as well as any politicians with an interest in health or charities.