UK-based aeromedical charity Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance has recorded its busiest year ever, responding to over 1620 missions during the last 12 months, 130 more incidents than in 2021. A total of 1003 incidents took place in Lincolnshire and 441 in Nottinghamshire, with the rest in neighbouring counties.

Last year saw further service enhancement at LNAA that supports its delivery of excellent pre-hospital critical care. From becoming fully registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to increased night flying, from carrying more blood on board to being despatched to more incidents than ever, the charity has continued to develop and deliver its life-saving service.

CEO Karen Jobling says: “This year has certainly been busy for the charity as a whole, and we anticipate being even busier in 2023.

“Registration with the CQC means that we are now clinically independent, able to develop our services based on the very specific and critical nature of the on-scene care given by our HEMS (helicopter emergency medical services) team. Our crews can now adapt quicker to emergency advances in drugs and treatments, which will ultimately benefit the patients we treat.”

Night missions have increased and 602 missions were carried out during the hours of darkness, more than double the amount undertaken in 2021. All pilots, doctors and paramedics were trained to use specialist night vision goggles, that allowed extended night flying. LNAA's AW169 helicopter is able respond to incidents for 19 hours of the day, from 7.00am to 2.00am the following morning. This makes LNAA the only air ambulance in the East Midlands operating throughout the hours of darkness.

Jobling adds: “There are exciting times ahead for LNAA as we continue to challenge ourselves to improve and deliver our life-saving service to more people each year. All this is only possible with the support from the communities and organisations in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire as we receive no direct funding from the government. Last year we needed £8 million to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we know that with increased costs and increased demand this cost will increase in 2023.

“We thank everyone who has supported us over the last 12 months and enabled us to continue to be by the side of patients, day and night.”