The first flight from Biggin Hill occurred: a small airport in South East London which served as an initial base for London’s Air Ambulance. To this day, our helicopter refuels at this airport.

Image: Graphics by bigginhillairport.com

Our first mission was completed: the helicopter flew organs for a transplant from Scotland to London. Since then, the purpose of the service has changed drastically; the charity now delivers an advanced trauma team to the roadside.

Image: The transplant team was picked up at the Royal Free Hospital and flown to Dundee

London Ambulance Service got on board in support of London's Air Ambulance. To this day, the London Ambulance Service provides paid paramedics who work with London's Air Ambulance. 

About London Ambulance Service

London’s Air Ambulance Charity is set up as a joint initiative between:

• Daily Express - Andrew Cameron and Lord Stevens
• The Royal London Hospital - Richard Earlam and Alastair Wilson 
• NHS - Conservative Government led by Margaret Thatcher.

Image: London’s Air Ambulance’s first logo.

The first helicopter, call sign G-HEMS, is flown into Trinity Square Gardens, London.

The Royal College of Surgeons of England issued a report documenting cases of patients dying unnecessarily because of the delay in appropriate medical care.

Express Newspapers agreed to provide London's Air Ambulance with a helicopter, pilots, operational staff and all running costs for four years – approximately £4 million.

Image: Letter from Lord Stevens of Ludgate, Chairman of United Newspapers plc., published in Trauma Care by R. Earlam; 1997.

London’s Air Ambulance came to life through a casual conversation. The basis was laid on the tennis court where the wives of Richard Earlam, Consultant Surgeon at The Royal London Hospital, and Lord Stevens of Ludgate, Chairman of United Newspapers plc., discussed trauma care in Germany.

London’s Air Ambulance was just a vision and aspiration of clinicians at The Royal London Hospital, who clearly articulated the need for a helicopter emergency medical service.

Rapidly increasing traffic levels in London coupled with road traffic collision statistics illustrate the urgent need for a helicopter emergency medical service.

Image: M25 accident rates, 1985 map