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The East Anglian Air Ambulance in 2012: The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) provides Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Every day our highly trained specialist teams fly to the scenes of accidents or medical emergencies. We serve a huge region with many remote places but our helicopter ambulances can reach patients anywhere within 25 minutes and airlift them to hospital if necessary. Our medical crews offer a standard of emergency care found usually only in hospital. We receive no direct Government funding and have to raise £6 million per year to operate. Despite the tough economic climate, we are delighted to report significant progress in three key areas during 2012:
Better availability We put the investment and training in place to ensure that we become the first dedicated air ambulance to operate a full HEMS service during the hours of darkness. Better capability We recruited two of the UK’s most distinguished emergency medicine practitioners to strengthen our team. Better operations We have greatly improved our Charity infrastructure, procedures and working practices and established new and exciting partnerships with key organisations and individuals.
2012 was about getting better – because, by being even better, we will save more lives. We thank our partners, our staff and the many individuals, organisations and businesses which help and support us. We’re getting better – but we won’t rest until we’re the best! Andrew Egerton Smith, Chairman of Trustees, EAAA
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Better availability
Better capability
Better organisation
Accidents and medical emergencies take place at all hours but, until recently, air ambulances could only operate a HEMS service in daylight.
When it comes to saving lives, it is the skill of our medical teams which makes the difference.
During 2012 we strengthened our infrastructure to support our growing clinical, operational and fundraising teams
New technology has now made night HEMS missions possible and visits to those already operating in Europe have confirmed that their crews are able to attend an additional 30% emergency callouts as a result. Gaining authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority is complex but, despite the challenges, during 2012, we worked with our aircraft operator Bond Air Services to invest in new aircraft, specialist equipment and staff training to earn this authorisation. As a result, during 2013, we will become the first dedicated air ambulance to carry out night HEMS operations in England and Wales.
We already fly doctor/critical care paramedic crews, – the ‘gold standard’ for air ambulances. During 2012, we strengthened our medical team with the recruitment of two of the UK’s most respected emergency medicine specialists. Dr David Zideman Director of Clinical Operations
Professor Tim Hodgetts Director of Clinical Quality and Development
Initiatives included the creation of specialist Board Committees to scrutinise and strengthen key areas of our work. In addition, we launched four county advisory committees which are contributing to our stature and reputation. We also undertook initiatives to reach new audiences and to widen our supporter base. Highlights included our new website, together with a strengthened PR capability and a stronger focus on social media.
David leads our medical team, ensuring that we deliver the best possible enhanced emergency care to our patients. He joined us from his role of consultant anaesthetist at the Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. During 2012, he led the clinical team for Emergency Medical Services at the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Professor Tim Hodgetts Director of Clinical Quality and Development Tim is helping us become a world leader in pre-hospital emergency medicine. A serving Colonel in the British Army, he is currently the Chief Medical Adviser to NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corp and is at the forefront of developing clinical advances in prehospital and emergency care in the Armed forces. He was awarded the CBE in 2009 for his contribution to combat casualty care development.
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Dr David Zideman Director of Clinical Operations
David and Tim’s experience has significantly increased the scope and capability of our medical crews, enabling us to enhance the level of care we bring to patients at the incident scene. They are a huge asset to us. Tim Page, Chief Executive, EAAA
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Making the difference
Meet our crews:
When it comes to saving lives, what really makes the difference is that we can reach patients very quickly and deliver emergency medical care of the highest quality.
During 2012, our crews: • were called out on average three times a day
Regional distribution Norfolk 44.32% Suffolk 15.25% Cambridgeshire/ Peterborough
• attended 1,232 missions • assisted patients in every corner of our region • helped patients in many emergency situations
17.71%
Peterborough
Norwich
Cambridge Bedford
Ipswich
Other 15.81%
2.24% Sporting injury 37.33% Road traffic collision
Meet EAAA Doctor Jeremy Mauger Jeremy Mauger had worked on London’s Air Ambulance in 1998 so when he moved to East Anglia, getting involved with the EAAA was a natural progression.
Bedfordshire 6.91%
5.95% Other
Our medical crews are trained in advanced pre-hospital care. They can deliver medical procedures on scene normally only available in hospital. Our aircraft are deployed by HEMS paramedics working in the 999 Control Centre.
I have a background in air ambulance and pre-hospital medical care and have been flying with the EAAA since 2002. I am also a consultant anaesthetist at the West Suffolk Hospital. My work with the EAAA is hugely rewarding, especially the individual cases where we know we’ve made a difference - whether by offering pain relief; getting the patient to the most appropriate hospital for their needs; accessing casualties in remote locations or supporting the land ambulance crews at difficult incidents.
16.67% Cardiac arrest 4.87% Equestrian
16.96% Falls 15.98% Medical emergency
On take-off, the aircraft can convey our medical crews to patients in any part of the region – even those in remote locations – within 25 minutes to begin life-saving treatment.
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The difference we make
Meet our patients:
Richard Fryer
On 23 January 2012, 34 year old Richard Fryer from Burwell near Cambridge was driving his seven year old son, Freddy, to school when his car collided with a lorry between Bottisham and Newmarket. Freddy broke his leg but Richard was far more seriously hurt, receiving life-threatening head and chest injuries. Anglia Two’s crew was quickly on scene, providing initial care before escorting him to the Major Trauma Centre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. He was in a coma for several weeks but has gone on to amaze doctors by making an excellent recovery. He and his family have since become passionate supporters of the EAAA. Freddy wrote a book about his experiences, raising nearly £3,000. Members of a fitness class run by Richard’s wife Charlie took part in a sponsored 10k run at Wimpole Hall in May, raising almost £2,000 while Richard organised a family fun day at a local pub, raising over £4,000.
2012 was a roller coaster but we’re determined to take as many positives as we can from what could have been a tragic situation. Raising this money is just a start and a small thank you from us. Richard Fryer
Iain Hamilton
Iain Hamilton, a 45 year old HGV driver from Shortstown, near Bedford, is lucky to be alive after an accident on 9 May 2012.
He was riding his moped to work as usual when he lost control and was thrown onto the road. He suffered life-threatening head, face, chest and shoulder injuries and was unconscious when the 999 call was made. Anglia Two landed on scene minutes later. The crew anaesthetised him and carried out further critical care procedures to stabilise him. They then flew him to the regional Major Trauma Centre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital where he remained for ten days before being able to continue his recovery at home.
The road to recovery has been long because the accident affected my brain as well as my body – but I am getting there and am even back at work. I wasn’t aware of the work of the EAAA before the accident but, without it, I wouldn’t be here today. Iain Hamilton
Richard with his daughter Eliza
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The difference we make
Meet our patients: Sam and Violet Nash
On 4 December, Sam Nash, a young mum from Girton, Cambridge, realised that her two and a half week old daughter Violet was having difficulty breathing. She rushed her to her local health centre but, as the midwife started examining Violet, she stopped breathing altogether. Our medical team arrived and initiated treatment before escorting her with Sam to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Happily, Violet made good recovery and was home with her family in time for Christmas.
It was a terrifying experience but I couldn’t believe how quickly the air ambulance team arrived. They were concentrating on Violet, of course, but made sure they explained everything to me and were so kind and reassuring. I’m so grateful for their help that day and would like to thank everybody who supports the EAAA. They do a fantastic job! Sam Nash
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Our fundraising
Our fundraising
Meet our volunteers:
Meet our staff:
The life-saving skills of our medical crews are often in the spotlight, but without our fundraising teams and their dedicated volunteers, we wouldn’t exist. Meet EAAA Fundraising Manager for Norfolk,
Jess Down Jess (27), a graduate of Nottingham University, has worked for the EAAA for five years. She is supported by her team of four staff and 50 volunteers. I wanted a job which would make a difference and which would give me variety. Fundraising is not a 9-5 role - but the great thing is that no day is ever the same and meeting people we’ve helped makes it so worthwhile. I spend most of my time out and about, attending events; giving talks to schools and community groups; meeting potential fundraisers or volunteers and organising our own events – in all weather of course! On ’big event’ days it’s not unknown for us to work from 7.00 am until 1.00 am the next day. There’s always so much preparation! We’re fortunate to have an active supporter base, many of whom are in regular touch by phone and email. Juggling everything is a challenge but it’s great fun and so rewarding to see how highly the EAAA is valued across the county.
10% Welcoming visitors
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Volunteers are the lifeblood of the EAAA. We have 200 across the region and are always looking for more. Volunteers contribute to every aspect of our work supporting local fundraising and lending their skills and experience in a variety of specialist roles. Meet EAAA volunteer
Jamie Edghill
Working as a fire fighter made me realise just how important the air ambulance is, especially when we attended road traffic collisions in which injured people were trapped in their cars. I wanted to help the EAAA when I retired and I’ve got more and more involved. In a typical week I might be selling merchandise at an event one day; representing the charity at a couple of fundraising functions locally the next and collecting collection boxes the day after. I enjoy the variety of work and being ‘the face of the charity’ in my area. I’ve also made many new friends. The amount of time I spend varies with he time of year – Summer is the busiest - but each year I challenge myself to collect a little more so that I can play my part in keeping the air ambulance flying.
Jamie Edghill is a retired carpenter and retained fire fighter from Cromer in Norfolk. He has been one of our most dependable volunteers since 2006 and covers the North Norfolk coast. He fulfils a variety for roles for us and also helps to induct new volunteers.
25% Management and planning
20% Giving talks 20% Working with supporters
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25% Events
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Our finances
Please help us:
We receive no Government funding and are wholly reliant on fundraising and the generosity of local people. During 2012, our annual operating costs rose to £6 million as a resultof our investments in new night-capable aircraft, doctors and training.
If you’ve been inspired by what you’ve read, there are many ways in which you can support us:
EAAA fundraising
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Thank you to all those who so generously helped us during 2012. We received funds from a wide range of people, events and activities.
Where our funds come from
Events £972,609 14.2%
Other £12,368 0.2%
Investments £102,777 1.5%
Lottery and merchandise £2,882,489 42.1%
Operating the EAAA With two aircraft to operate and expensive medical equipment on board, our costs are high so we work very hard and carefully to make sure we get the maximum value from every penny donated.
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Donations £2,880,216 42%
How we spend the funds we receive Aviation and medical costs £3,957,347 57.8%
Fundraising support £818,098 11.9%
Trading £946,875 13.8%
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Join our Lottery More than 60,000 people already play, giving themselves the opportunity to win one of 18 weekly prizes ranging from £50 to £1,000. There’s also an weekly accumulator prize of up to £25,000.
• Organise a fundraising event Whether it’s a coffee morning for a few friends or a black tie ball, organising an event can be great fun and the proceeds will make a real difference to us. •
Undertake a sponsored challenge Have you always harboured a secret desire to skydive or run a marathon? If so, doing it for us could give you the additional impetus to make 2013 the year in which you make it happen!
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Become a volunteer We simply couldn’t operate without our volunteers who carry out all sorts of work. We can offer opportunities to suit everyone, as well as the chance to make new friends and have fun.
• Make a donation: You can do this: • by calling 08450 669 999 • by texting ‘heli’ to 70500 to make a £5 donation • on our website at www.eaaa.org.uk • Remember us in your will We are very grateful for legacies or ‘in memoriam’ donations.
Charity operations £1,128,140 16.5%
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We need you today You may need us tomorrow East Anglian Air Ambulance Hangar E Gambling Close Norwich Airport Norwich NR6 6EG Charity No. 1083876 www.eaaa.org.uk Text to donate – text heli to 70500
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