The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) in the UK recently attended its 25,000th mission. The organisation operates two H145 helicopters out of its Cambridge and Norwich bases and can reach anywhere in the region within 25 minutes. Each of its crews consists of a doctor, a critical care paramedic and two pilots, all of whom take expert, advanced A&E level care directly to patients who have suffered life-threatening accidents or medical emergencies. It is then able to transfer them to the most appropriate hospital for their needs.

Next year will mark 20 years since the charity was founded, and to reach this milestone number before then highlights the importance of the critical service the EAAA provides. Last year its crews treated 1,654 critically ill patients, with the highest number of incidents related to road traffic collisions and cardiac arrests.

Chief executive Patrick Peal says: “Reaching 25,000 missions is a pivotal moment for us and one we are extremely proud to achieve. It is incredibly reaffirming at this time as we begin to implement plans to become a 24/7 helicopter emergency medical service by 2020.

“Attending 25,000 missions shows the absolute need for our service, and by becoming 24/7 we will be able to attend even more patients who need our care. It's also crucial to say that none of this would be possible without the support of the communities we serve.”