Cornwall Air Ambulance tasked to more than 1,000 missions in 2021
The critical care team also carried out 12 blood transfusions throughout last year
Last updated 23rd Jan 2022
The Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to 1,092 incidents during 2021, described as an 'incredibly busy' year despite the pandemic.
New figures released by the charity show the crew responded to 733 incidents in the helicopter and 359 in the rapid response vehicles.
Of these missions, 551 were to people injured in trauma-related incidents and 534 were in response to medical emergencies.
Throughout the year, the critical care team carried out a total of 12 blood transfusions at the scene of an incident.
Tim Bunting, Chief Executive of Cornwall Air Ambulance, said: “Mission numbers remained incredibly busy, despite the restrictions we had with the pandemic. This is the first year the charity has carried blood on board the aircraft, allowing the crew to administer lifesaving transfusions at the scene of an incident. It is amazing to see the difference it has made to patient outcomes, ensuring more seriously sick and injured patients can reach hospital for further treatment.
“Reaching hundreds of seriously sick and injured patients every year is only possible with the support of the people of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Yet again our supporters have shown an immense love for Cornwall Air Ambulance through their incredible generosity, and I would like to thank each one of them for ensuring the helicopter keeps flying".
Meanwhile more lives are set to be saved by the Cornwall Air Ambulance as a new weather station is launched in Bude.
The new site, which has been kindly funded by Charity Ambassador Dr Karen J Dickens, will assist in accurate reporting of local conditions, making it easier than ever to determine whether the helicopter can fly to incidents in the north coast area.
Previously, pilots relied on information from weather stations located in Newquay, Penzance and the Isles of Scilly to gauge weather conditions in North Cornwall, which wasn’t always accurate enough to permit a safe launch.
The charity says the new site will provide valuable data where dramatic differences in weather conditions are often seen at opposite ends of the county.
Karen said: “The Cornish people did an amazing job of raising the funds to buy the new helicopter and continue to do so to keep the Critical Care Paramedics in the air.
“So, it is only right that the charity Pilots have access to the best and most up-to-date information too.”
Karen donated £26,000 to build the new station, which won’t just support Cornwall Air Ambulance missions, but will also help other emergency services in the county, too.
She added: “The Critical Care Paramedics and Pilots do an incredible job every day, and I am glad that I can support them in their lifesaving missions with my personal donations and fundraising activities, along with those of my company, Comitti Boats UK & Caribbean.”
Following the launch of the station, Richard Dixon, Pilot for Cornwall Air Ambulance, said: "The weather in Cornwall is extremely changeable and yet there are limited weather stations throughout the county. The new station in Bude will help us make important decisions on when to operate the helicopter".
Bude Stratton Town Council were also critical in the success of the project, donating the land for free and offering support along the way. It is with huge thanks to the members involved, and Karen’s generous donation, that has seen the project come to fruition.
Where the helicopter can’t fly in certain conditions, the charity’s Rapid Response Vehicles are always available to use, offering emergency support to the people of Cornwall during their most desperate times of need – no matter the weather.
You can find out more about the Cornwall Air Ambulance here.