Hampshire's Air Ambulance starts aftercare service

The charity's expanding their work to help people following emergencies

The aftercare team at HIOWAA, with Dale and Rachael Muffett, who've benefitted from it
Author: Faye TryhornPublished 10th Jul 2023

Hampshire's air ambulance is expanding their services, to further support patients.

The Thruxton based charity is now offering aftercare - with patients often left with physical and emotional challenges.

Crews have been responding to emergencies for 16 years - dealing with more than 17,000 missions.

Previously, when they've handed a patient to a hospital team, they move on to the next call - but they're now helping patients in the aftermath of an emergency too.

Hampshire's Air Ambulance is marking 16 years of service by expanding their work into aftercare

Paramedics Tom Nickisson-Richards and Nicola Hawkes, and a senior hospital nurse, Nikki Harris, make up the team.

The service will also support loved ones and on scene bystanders. Tom said:

“Patients who have been treated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance have often experienced significant illness or injury. Not only have their lives been turned completely upside down, but the lives of their families have also been profoundly affected. Aftercare will provide a consistent point of support to these patients and their families, helping them to make sense of what happened. We’re extremely grateful to supporters of the charity whose generosity makes our vital new service possible.”

Dale Muffett was treated and airlifted to hospital when he was hit by a car while out jogging on New Year’s morning in 2021.

Dale has been working with the Aftercare team to help him understand what happened on scene. He said:

“I have no memory of when I was injured and much of what happened to me was totally unknown. To be able to speak with the Aftercare team and then meet with the paramedic who saved my life was amazing. They answered all my questions and gave me a really good understanding of everything that happened to me on the day. It has helped me process what happened and has given me a huge appreciation for everything Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance did for me when saving my life.”

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