Thames Valley air ambulance says 2023 was their busiest ever

Thames Valley Air Ambulance has announced figures showing increasing demand for the service, with 3,293 call outs in 2023.

The charity, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, responded to 1,095 call outs in Buckinghamshire, 943 in Oxfordshire, 1,177 in Berkshire and 78 in the surrounding areas across 2023. Crews responded to 313 call outs in May alone, making it the busiest month of the year.

The most frequent type of call out was for cardiac arrests. Crews responded to 1,212 cardiac arrests in 2023, which works out as more than three per day.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s paramedics and doctors bring hospital-level care to people whenever and wherever it is needed, from the oldest members of the community to the youngest. Last year, 213 seriously ill or injured children were treated by the expert crews, including 86 children under the age of five.

Amanda McLean, Chief Executive Officer at Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said:

“This year marks the 25th anniversary of our lifesaving service and, as these figures show, we’re reaching more patients than ever.

“Over the last 25 years, our charity has expanded and evolved. We’ve continued to be at the forefront of critical care, using state-of-the-art kit and being part of groundbreaking research, as well as becoming an independent healthcare provider and bringing our air operations in-house. This all means we can provide the best possible care when it’s needed most.

“But we wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support of the community that we serve. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story over the last 25 years. We’re looking forward to having you by our side for the next chapter.”

To see a detailed breakdown of Thames Valley Air Ambulance call outs in your county, visit www.tvairambulance.org.uk/mission-map

To find out more about how you can support your local air ambulance charity, visit www.tvairambulance.org.uk/support-us

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