1 minute read
London’s Air Ambulance Covid-19 response
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2 - OUTSTANDING CARE LONDON’S AIR AMBULANCE COVID-19 RESPONSE
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we remained operational 24/7 for every one of the 10 million people who live and work in London and we have expanded and adapted some services.
Advertisement
We extended our flying hours as usual in March and this year that was just as lockdown began. Although we saw a reduction in trauma patients in the first two weeks of lockdown, sadly this quickly returned to pre-lockdown levels.
Our Physician Response Unit also expanded its working hours and added a second team, which helped to free up hospital beds and reduced risks for vulnerable patients by avoiding a trip to hospital.
Clinical team members and the operations crew worked relentlessly to keep our patients safe and service operational, while also supporting the NHS through their other roles. Our Patient Liaison Nurse worked closely with the Nightingale hospital to set up its family liaison unit, supporting those with loved ones fighting the virus and delivering staff training on compassionate care.
Some of our team members aided The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust with transfers of COVID-19 patients and our helicopters were offered up as part of a national register, as assets that could be called upon if required for national effort. Thankfully this was not needed. The impact of COVID-19 on our usual fundraising activities will be felt for some time to come. However, the new working environment created by the virus has in fact enabled our charity teams to explore innovative ways to reach and engage with our supporters. From virtual events to social media fundraisers, we are rising to the challenge. Our ambitions may now be more challenging to fund, but that hasn’t meant we have reigned them back.
Although it is now a common-place phrase, these really are unusual times. But our people have risen to the challenges presented by COVID-19. We can’t thank them enough for their continued passion, resilience and commitment to our cause.
