UK air ambulance will deliver blood transfusions

Following an urgent fundraising appeal made by EAAA in May, the air ambulance charity, which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, is now able to carry packed red blood cells and freeze-dried plasma on every mission.

Blood transfusions ensure that the most gravely injured patients suffering a major bleed have the best chance of getting to hospital through increasing oxygen delivery and clot production.

Difference between life and death

Richard Hindson, Head of Operations at EAAA, said: “I’m hugely grateful and really proud to know that going forward we will have two vital blood products available on every mission for the patients where these treatments might be the difference between life and death. It is a privilege to work alongside other charities and hospitals whose main aim is to save lives and achieve the very best outcomes for our patients.”

The Clinical Microbiology and Public Health Laboratory blood transfusion Laboratory Manager, Katherine Philpott, said: “We are delighted, thanks to the generosity of donors, to be able to prepare and package blood stocks to help EAAA save the lives of people treated at short notice and in difficult conditions. We wish them continued success with this service, which often results in the transportation of patients back to Addenbrooke’s for further care.”

Earlier this year, crews from EAA moved into their new Norwich headquarters.