GREAT WESTERN AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY RESPONDS TO RECORD NUMBER OF INCIDENTS IN 2024
Bristol, UK – Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has announced that it responded to a record number of incidents in 2024. The specialist crew, which provides critical care services, responded to 2,272 people in urgent need of care. This is an increase of about 15% compared to the previous year.
Since its inception in 2007, GWAAC has seen a steady increase in incident numbers, highlighting the high demand for their services. With an EC135 helicopter and three critical care cars, the specially trained crew is equipped with the necessary skills and equipment typically found in a hospital emergency department. This enables them to provide lifesaving treatment to patients before they reach the hospital.
Tim Ross Smith, GWAAC’s Operations Officer, stated, “We’re now seeing an average of six patients a day during our operating hours. Demand across the NHS is on the rise, and we’re receiving more requests for assistance from our local land ambulance crews in addition to the traditional air ambulance call-outs for incidents such as road traffic collisions and cardiac arrests.” He also acknowledged the outreach work done by the crew in educating land paramedics, as well as the increased recognition by ambulance service colleagues of their team’s ability to provide support in complex situations.
The crew was called to 501 people in cardiac arrest, making it the most common reason for GWAAC’s services being needed. To address this, the charity has focused on its Great Western Hearts program, which aims to prepare communities to respond to cardiac arrest cases. Forrest, who suffered a cardiac arrest while participating in a parkrun, attests to the importance of GWAAC’s services, saying, “Without a doubt, without the help of Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, I wouldn’t be here today.”
In addition to cardiac arrest cases, GWAAC’s crew was also called to a record number of babies, children, and teenagers in urgent need of critical care. In 2024, they responded to 379 young people, an increase from the previous years. The crew was also dispatched to 338 road traffic collisions and responded to a total of 55% of serious medical-related incidents and 45% of trauma-related injuries.
Within its region of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire, GWAAC responded to 77% of call-outs in critical care cars and 23% in its helicopter. The busiest regions for the charity were Bristol and Gloucestershire, with 656 and 621 call-outs respectively, followed by South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Wiltshire, and Bath and North East Somerset. The crew also responded to 126 incidents outside of its region, including Wales and Somerset.
CEO Anna Perry expressed her pride in GWAAC’s specialist crew for being able to assist a record number of patients in urgent need of critical care. She also acknowledged the hard work of everyone who supports the charity in raising the necessary funds to provide their vital services. However, she also highlighted the challenges that lie ahead, with operating costs rising by 10% and additional costs such as increased employer National Insurance Contributions. She urged the local community to support GWAAC in any way they can, whether through donations, volunteering, or shopping at their charity shops.
Perry concluded, “Thank you to those who have supported us in the past and to those who will support us in the future. You are helping save lives.” For more information about GWAAC and ways to support their lifesaving work, visit their website at www.gwaac.com.
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