Press Release

Issued by Devon Air Ambulance.

January 17, 2019

Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) has announced another extension of the operational hours of its emergency service which will now fly until 2.00 am every day of the week with immediate effect.

DAA's chief executive Heléna Holt, said “This landmark is another step towards our goal of eventually providing Devon with a 24-hour emergency air ambulance service. There isn't a timescale yet for when this will be, but it remains one of our key objectives.”

In November 2016 DAA, extended the flying hours for its Exeter aircraft to midnight, after extensive research confirmed that just because it's dark, it doesn't mean people don't have accidents or become ill.

Heléna Holt was at pains to thank the charity's “amazing fundraisers and supporters” who have made this significant development possible. 

Since the extension of flying time in 2016, DAA have assisted 118 patients during the hours of darkness.

Nigel Hare, DAA's operations director said: “Flying into the hours of darkness isn't necessarily about flying the patient to hospital. It's also about getting the right specialist care to the patient, quickly.
“Our community landing sites across the county allow us to land at a pre-surveyed site, with lighting that we can turn on and off by using just a mobile phone, saving vital minutes. Our doctors and specialist paramedics can administer essential treatment.” 

Heléna Holt added: “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes with parish councils and communities to create a network of community landing sites. It truly is a testament to our amazing supporters that what seemed a dream just a few years ago has now become reality.”