HIOWAA responded to over 1,500 callouts in 2021

The UK-based Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) has announced that it responded to 1,570 callouts in 2021.

Of these, almost a third (31 per cent, or 491 callouts) were cardiac arrest related. This was followed by 268 (17 per cent) callouts responding to strokes; 228 (15 per cent) callouts for road traffic collisions; and 226 (14 per cent) due to falls from height. The remaining 23 per cent covered rail and sporting incidents, drownings, assaults, and stabbings.

The charity, which serves parts of southern England, reported that December was the busiest month, with 148 missions.

HIOWAA said that in 2021, there was an average of four missions per day, of which 887 (56 per cent) were responded to by air. Its Airbus H135 helicopter was airborne for over 460 hours, while its three emergency response vehicles also covered around 67,600km. The charity also administered emergency blood 37 times in 2021.

HIOWAA also marked 15 years since its first flight in July 2007 and flew its 10,000th critical care patient in April.

“As with all front line and health services, 2021 was immensely challenging,” said Richard Corbett, HIOWAA’s CEO. “But for our patients and their families, it was potentially life changing. We are so grateful to all of our supporters for allowing us to be there for the 1,570 people who needed our help last year. Their kindness and generosity mean the most critically ill and injured patients in our region have the very best chance of survival. But we can only continue this work with each and every one of them by our side.”