Wales Air Ambulance prepare for Christmas
The Wales Air Ambulance says there will continue to be emergency responders ready over the festive period.
Last updated 24th Dec 2024
At the Wales Air Ambulance’s four bases, Dafen, Welshpool, Cardiff and Caernarfon the medics and pilots will be ready to respond and fly across the country.
Critical Care Practitioners Derwyn Jones, Cat Dalton, Caz Arter, and Captain Euan Laird will be working over Christmas.
This is Derwyn’s third Christmas working for the Wales Air Ambulance, he said: “It’s just like any other shift really, the routine in the morning and throughout the day is just the same as any other shift.
“Obviously, it is Christmas Day, so it’s a bit different in terms of being away from family and friends and the festive celebrations that are going on at home. But we make things a bit easier on base by having Christmas trees and decorations.
“I think what really helps as well is that the whole team is in the same situation, so we all sort of bounce off each other and have our own Christmas Day.
Derwyn added: “Normally we do have some kind of Christmas dinner on the base as part of the day. But then again it all depends on what calls we have, potentially we could be away from the base all day.”
Caz who has worked a couple of Christmas day shifts for the Wales Air Ambulance as well as previously working in A&E during the festive period said: “I’m used to changing Christmas Day and celebrating it a little bit later, but lots of shift workers do that.
“I actually love the festive period on base. We decorate it with some weird and wonderful decorations, we will have a little tree and maybe add a little festive sparkle to the flight suits. In general, morale is really good and we’re a close team so it’s like a little work family. We will always try and make it fun and probably have way too many snacks and sweets.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
As a pan-Wales service, the air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency care.
Captain Euan Laird has also worked many Christmases throughout his flying career. He said: “Working Christmas Day always leaves me with the feeling I'm missing out on something, whether it's with family or friends, and slightly guilty that, due to the work I've chosen over the years, I've been absent from many Christmas mornings as my son has been growing up.
“Working over the festive period has become easier now that my son is grown up. Also, due to the work pattern, I'm home after every shift now.”
He said: “Last year I was off, so what I did was buy a Christmas gift for all those on shift and put it under the tree. Some of our pilots also buy us presents too – so we try to make it as normal as it can be.”
Over 50,000 missions have been carried out to date since the Charity’s launch on St. David’s Day 2001.
The Wales Air Ambulance emphasises for everyone to stay safe over Christmas.