LAST week marked the seventh anniversary of a charity that carried out its first mission in Castlewellan.
To commemorate the landmark, the Air Ambulance has reflected on the 4,364 life-saving call outs.
The Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) made its inaugural call-out in July 2017 to go to the aid of 11 year-old Conor McMullan from Castlewellan following a farming accident.
The unique partnership between Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the charity Air Ambulance NI, it operates 365 days a year and has brought 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.
Glenn O’Rourke, NIAS operational lead for HEMS, said: “Anyone could be a patient and need the air ambulance to fly them.
“The crew is tasked to incidents including road traffic collisions, farm incidents, sports or workplace incidents, accidents at home or serious medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest.
One such patient is Ballynahinch man Damien Laverty, who suffered a severe arm injury while at his work in Carryduff.
The rapid response and advanced medical care provided by the HEMS team, working alongside their NIAS road crew colleagues, was crucial in saving Damien’s arm and facilitating his recovery.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service worked to release Damien’s arm from machinery. Once freed, Damien was anaesthetised by the HEMS doctor and transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
“It’s been a long journey to recovery,” Damien explained, “but I have made great progress.
“I owe so much to the Air Ambulance team, the NIAS 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.
Dr Darren Monaghan, HEMS clinical lead, said: “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, doctor and paramedic HEMS teams 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.”
He added: “Our medical are humbled daily to be able to ensure patients receive optimal care before they reach hospital.”
The Air Ambulance relies heavily on public donations to meet its annual £2.5 million funding requirement.
Breige Mullholland, head of operations and finance at Air Ambulance NI, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and emphasised 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,” she said.
“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 seven years and ask for continued support.”
Supporters are encourage to contribute through regular donations, participate in events or volunteer.
More information on how to get involved can be found at www.airambulanceni.org.