Second major trauma center in UK to receive weather station

Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) has become the second major trauma center in the UK to benefit from a weather station.

It was installed thanks to a £37,000 donation from the HELP Appeal.

A weather station was requested by air ambulances in the South West of England as it measures live visibility and weather conditions around the BRI. It also helps air ambulance crews understand the next steps for critically injured patients, making sure they are airlifted to the most appropriate trauma center avoiding bad weather conditions that can make flying difficult.

Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, said: “If we have the opportunity to enhance trauma care anywhere in the country, we will not hesitate to donate.

“As the weather station informs air ambulance crews of the conditions at BRI, it can inform them if it’s safe to land on its helipad or if they need to be transferred to another hospital. With more inclement weather on the horizon as winter is fast approaching, this will save precious time – a must when a patient urgently needs specialist care to help save their life.”

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s Unit Chief Pilot, Mario Carretta added: “The BRI installation joins a network of weather stations that has been established in the South West and, importantly, plugs a gap for us in the Bristol area that will also cover the North Bristol NHS Trust hospital at Southmead.”

The HELP Appeal funded the first weather station at University Hospitals of North Midlands’ major trauma center in 2019.