Wiltshire Air Ambulance completes helicopter review
Thursday, 03 March 2022
It follows a review by our charity’s board and leadership team, which formed part of our three-year strategy launched last August.
We have used our existing Bell 429 helicopter since becoming a standalone operation in 2015.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance director of income generation and communications Barbara Gray explained: “As part of our three-year strategy, we said we would hold a review into our helicopter.
“That has now been completed and we’ve decided that given the unknown economic impact of the global pandemic, it is not the right time to make a change.
“In 2025 the helicopter will be ten years old and that feels like the right milestone to review the situation again.”
We have already increased the number of doctors on shift, which also featured in the charity’s three-year strategy.
The aircrew has been strengthened by three hospital doctors - Maria Smith, Rosie Furse and Reuben Cooper – who had previously provided ad-hoc voluntary shifts for several years.
There are also succession plans being drawn up as our chairman is due to step down in 2023, and our chief executive retires a year later.
For the 2021-22 financial year, our charity’s annual income target increased to £4 million, the equivalent of around £11,000 a day.
Barbara added: “With fuel and energy bills rises, plus national insurance increases and the cost of living going up, we know it’s going to be a tough year.
“However, we need your support more than ever, whether that’s through playing our lottery or raffle, by leaving a gift in your will or by joining our regular giving scheme.
“Without the generosity of the general public and local businesses, we wouldn’t be where we are today and with your ongoing support we can continue to be there for the people of Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas.”
An update from Barbara
Our latest missions
Find out where we have been carrying out our lifesaving work across Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas recently.
Location: Warminster
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Shah Rahman
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Coleford near Forest of Dean
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Shah Rahman
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Chilton Foliat
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
Ben Abbott
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Critical Care and Clinical Lead
Reuben Cooper
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Bath
Attended in: Car
Transported to: Royal United Hospital, Bath
Crew Attending
Ben Abbott
Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Critical Care and Clinical Lead
Reuben Cooper
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Frome
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
Paul "Rocky" Rock
Critical Care Paramedic
Rosie Furse
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Westbury
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
Paul "Rocky" Rock
Critical Care Paramedic
Rosie Furse
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Corsham
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Shah Rahman
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Salisbury
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Shah Rahman
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Whitchurch near Bristol
Attended in: Car
Crew Attending
Paul "Rocky" Rock
Critical Care Paramedic
Rosie Furse
Critical Care Doctor
Location: Trowbridge
Attended in: Helicopter
Crew Attending
James Hubbard
Critical Care Paramedic
Shah Rahman
Critical Care Doctor
Rob Backus
Line Pilot
Get in touch
Have you been airlifted by us?
If you or someone you know has been airlifted by our team, it would be great to hear from you. We can arrange for a visit to the airbase for the chance to meet our pilots, paramedics and doctors.