The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance -  Lizzie Breese

Lizzie from Hampshire & IoW Air Ambulance gave an excellent video supported talk on the lifesaving work of this charity. 45 members heard how the Air Ambulance, operating daily from 0700 am to 0200 am, takes critical care (A&E) services to the site of incidents and administers lifesaving treatments. The service, manned by specialist staff with skills beyond those normally held by paramedics, respond to typically 4 to 5 callouts per day. Each call out costs around £3,500, and overall the charity is a £10m p.a. business independent of Government funding and influence. The charity employs its own doctors, often on the days they are not working for local hospitals. Supported by a small core of non-medical staff the charity also has 140 volunteers who perform a wide range of support functions including public engagement, fundraising and seeking charity partnerships with local businesses.

 

The video told the story of a patient who had suffered severe injuries in a high-speed road accident, including the impact on his family.

 

Lizzie went on to relate her own experience of the air ambulance when she was crushed by her horse after it reared in reaction to a speeding car, and how this prompted her to become a volunteer.   An engaging Q&A session followed with members showing great interest. More about the charity can be found on their website. www.hiowaa.org

 

So that it can more swiftly reach most of the population it serves the air ambulance, currently based at Thruxton, will be moving to Southampton Airport in about 18 months. The audience were amazed to learn this was Lizzie's first public presentation given its quality and the enthusiasm she showed.

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