Thanks to the support of the community, businesses and friends of Devon, in 2019 Devon’s Air Ambulances were able to assist 985 patients. Flying hours were also extended to 19 hours a day from its Exeter airbase, meaning emergency assistance was available up to 2am.

The charity-funded service’s priorities have always been to put their patients at the heart of all that they do, seeking to ensure specialist care is delivered as quickly as possible and that patients are transported to the hospital best able to treat their specific injuries or illness. For example, last year almost 60% of our 985 patients were transported not to the closest hospital, but to one offering the specialist services most likely to provide them with a successful outcome for their specific condition or injuries.

Other stats:

• 98 patients were under the age of 18​
• 297 patients were 70 years old or over
• 584 of the patients that we assisted were between the ages of 18 and 69
• 46% (451) patients were assisted with medical issues (e.g. cardiac/heart related)
• Trauma related patients (e.g. road traffic collisions, falls etc) equated to 52% (514)
• The busiest months of the year were June and July
• 46 motorcyclists
• 20 cyclists
• 171 road traffic collisions
• The busiest day of the week was a Sunday
• 32 out of 58 sporting injuries we assisted were equestrian-related
• We responded to patients 139 times after dark
• 60% of our patients by-passed the closest hospital, taking them to the most appropriate medical centre for their injuries or illness

Nigel Hare, Operations Director of Devon Air Ambulance explains: “Being able to reach our patients quickly, with the life-saving enhanced critical care that they require truly does make a difference. Our response to patients during 2019 demonstrates this. We may not always fly the patients we treat to hospital as sometimes the patient’s condition means it is more appropriate for us to transport them in a land ambulance with our team continuing to care for them en route. What is best for the patient is always at the forefront. For example, last year we assisted 191 patients who were subsequently conveyed to hospital by land ambulance. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our fantastic supporters for their continued support.  They truly all are lifesavers!”