Seven years ago, the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) made its inaugural call out to aid 11 year old Conor from Castlewellan following a farming accident, and since then has been needed on over 4,300 occasions, averaging twice per day.
The unique partnership between Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Charity Air Ambulance NI, operating 365 days a year, brings a transformative change with its combination of speed and medical expertise.
Staffed by a consultant doctor and paramedic from NIAS, and supported by the charity providing the helicopter, pilot, and engineering services, the service has markedly enhanced emergency care.
NIAS Operational Lead for HEMS Glenn O’Rorke said:
“Anyone could be a patient and need the air ambulance to fly to them. The crew is tasked to incidents including road traffic collisions, farm, sports or workplace incidents, accidents at home or serious medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest.”
One such patient is Damien Laverty from Carryduff Building Supplies who suffered a severe arm injury at work. The rapid response and advanced medical care provided by the HEMS team working alongside their NIAS road crew colleagues was crucial in saving his arm and facilitating his recovery.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service worked to release Damien’s arm from the machinery and once freed, Damien was anaesthetised by the HEMS Doctor and transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
Speaking about his experience, Damien said:
“It has been a long journey to recovery, but I have made great progress. I owe so much to the air ambulance team, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and to the Royal Victoria Hospital for my initial care and treatment. I was at risk of losing my arm but thankfully it was saved and I am back to work.
“The air ambulance costs £6,850 per day to run so every penny really does go a long way to making sure that this vital service can continue.”
The service operates 365 days of the year for 12 hours per day and the aircraft can get to the furthest locations in NI from its airbase in Lisburn in approximately 25 minutes.
HEMS Clinical Lead, Doctor Darren Monaghan added:
“Damien’s positive outcome illustrates the benefit of emergency services working in partnership and the importance of the chain of survival for every critically injured patient. On scene, the Doctor Paramedic HEMS team can deliver additional interventions including advanced pain relief, sedation to allow manipulation of fractured limbs, Pre Hospital Blood transfusion and can deliver a Pre Hospital Anaesthetic. Our medical team are humbled daily to be able to ensure patients receive optimal care before they reach hospital.”
Running at a cost of £6,850 per day, the service relies heavily on public donations to meet its annual £2.5 million funding requirement. Breige Mulholland, Head of Operations and Finance at Air Ambulance NI, expressed gratitude for the community's support and emphasised the importance of continued fundraising efforts:
“We would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to NIAS and the Department of Health for their continued support. Each time the helicopter lifts off we are aware that someone is in great need and that, thanks to the generosity of people locally, the HEMS team can respond and give hope. We are truly grateful to everyone who has been able to support us over the past 7 years and ask for continued support.”
Supporters are encouraged to contribute through regular donations, participate in events, or volunteer.
More information on how to get involved can be found at www.airambulanceni.org