Devon Air Ambulance seeks solutions to get its helicopters back in the air

Devon Air Ambulance has today outlined its plans on how the service will continue to support the community, wider NHS and South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) during these unprecedented times.

Currently the Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) is providing emergency assistance via its two critical care cars but it is now also looking at ways to get its two air ambulances back in the air while also keeping its staff safe.

Nigel Hare, Operations Director of Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) explained: "We have of course been monitoring the situation closely and reviewing daily within our Leadership Team.

"Although we have temporarily suspended delivering our service by helicopter due to us not being permitted to wear full Personal Protective Equipment in flight, and therefore not being able to safeguard the safety of our patients and staff, we continue to provide an enhanced pre-hospital service to the people of Devon by responding on our two critical care cars."

"We continue to operate from 7am through to 2am the following morning, with one car based in the north of the county and the other in the south."

"While the Universities are currently closed, we have also temporarily suspended our training and development activity enabling us to provide additional staff to support healthcare during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have therefore been liaising with the wider NHS, SWAST and the South West Critical Care Network to identify ways the advanced clinical capabilities of our team can bring additional benefit to people across Devon."

"From this week, five of our critical care paramedics will be joining a multi-disciplinary team, alongside the South West Critical Care Network and SWAST, to provide a road based Critical Care transfer service to enable patients to be transported between hospitals so they can receive the most appropriate care for their needs."

"Patients could be transported within Devon, or indeed further afield if required, and will include those suffering from Coronavirus as well as patients with other conditions who still require specialist treatment in a different hospital."

"We also continue to liaise with the Civil Aviation Authority to seek solutions that could enable us to safely reinstate our helicopter provision whilst continuing to comply with the aviation safety regulations that all air ambulances are required to adhere to."

Heléna Holt, CEO of DAA added "Although an independent service, we're proud to be able to support the NHS in the fight against the Coronavirus in Devon."

"We and our crews ask just one thing from the people of Devon. Please help protect our crews and their loved ones, as well as yourself and your loved ones and alleviate future pressures on the NHS by staying at home; please do your bit to reduce the pressure on these essential services."

DAA is a charity and it's operations are not funded by the Government; if you are able, please consider making a one off or regular donation here. This will ensure that DAA remains here for anyone who should need it during and after this pandemic.