Blood on board project launched by Italian AREU

The Great North Air Ambulance Service’s (GNAAS) Blood on Board project is thought to have saved dozens of lives since its launch in 2015. After hearing of the project, the Regional Emergency-Urgency Agency (known as AREU) from Italy sent two clinicians to visit the charity to find out more.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner Simone Celi and Anaesthetist Christian Salaroli, both from the Lombardy region in Northern Italy, visited the charity’s former base at Teesside International Airport, as well as its Cumbrian base at Langwathby. They spent four days learning about the delivery of blood transfusions in a pre-hospital setting.

Carrying blood and plasma on board

The visit, 18 months ago, was a fruitful one and, earlier this month, AREU launched its own version of Blood on Board. The organization now carries blood and plasma onboard their helicopter based in Bergamo.

Dr Francesco Daminelli, from AREU, said: “The valuable and friendly advice was fundamental for the realization of this project.”

Celi added: “By having blood on board, we can improve a patient’s chance of survival while also reducing the impact on hospitals further down the line. This can only be a good thing for the public and the healthcare system, and we are delighted that we can offer this service to our residents.”

Patients deserve the best care

Andy Mawson, Director of Operations and Paramedic at GNAAS, explained: “It’s been a huge privilege to work with AREU and play a part in their new Blood on Board project.

“Simone, Christian and Francesco have become firm friends, and they have the same ethos as we do at GNAAS – that our patients and their families deserve the very best care we can give them. We wish them every success and look forward to hearing about their live transfusion. We also send our love and support as they continue the fight against Covid.”