Tue Oct 08 02:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance: Saving Lives in the Sky
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) is a lifeline for those in need of urgent medical care across the region. This dedicated team of doctors and paramedics are on call 24/7, bringing the hospital to patients wherever they may be, from cardiac arrests to serious falls.
The team operates from a hangar at Thruxton Airport, but a new, state-of-the-art facility at Eastleigh Airport is in the works. This move will enable the HIOWAA team to reach patients faster, potentially saving even more lives. The new base, which is the subject of a £3.6 million fundraising campaign, will allow the team to reach patients in Hampshire and Isle of Wight within 10 minutes of takeoff.
The team responds to an average of seven calls per day, with a mix of medical and traumatic cases. Their helicopter is equipped with everything an emergency department would have, allowing them to perform procedures from tracheotomies to emergency caesarean sections on the scene. While they sometimes transport patients via helicopter, their primary role is to bring medical expertise to the patient, saving crucial time.
The HIOWAA also provides aftercare services to patients, their families, and those involved in the event, assisting with physical and mental recovery and grief counselling.
As the air ambulance team continues to operate, their commitment to saving lives in the skies of Hampshire and Isle of Wight remains unwavering. Their tireless efforts and dedication to their mission truly make them medical angels in the air.
First Piper 