TCAA performs first ECMO transfer

The UK-based service, which exclusively provides medical transport to critically ill babies and children, carried out the mission on 31 January 2023, in partnership with Leicester’s Heart Link centre.

The transfer was between one hospital in Birmingham and another in Newcastle, and was carried out in 1 hour and 26 minutes – less than half the time that would be required in a road ambulance.

ECMO functionality was added to the charity’s repertoire following the acquisition of two new AW169 helicopters in late 2022 from Sloane Helicopters. The new aircraft also boast England’s first onboard incubator on a helicopter.

“Moving patients on ECMO is logistically difficult and having such a professional and well-organised team such as TCAA to help in moving these critically ill children is fantastic. TCAA has worked incredibly hard with the ECMO team at Leicester to provide the necessary equipment to fly these patients who are the sickest of the sick,” said Dr Chris Harvey, ECMO Consultant and Director of ECMO at Leicester Children’s Hospital.

TCAA Head of Operations, Alfie Daly added: “On behalf of the charity, I am incredibly delighted that we were able to support the hardworking National Health Service (NHS) ECMO specialist transport team with our first ECMO mission to transfer the young patient quickly and safely.”