Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is expanding its service from frontline pre-hospital critical care to supporting patients and their relatives who have been involved in potential life-changing incidents through its new Aftercare service.
Since its first flight on 1 July 2007, the air ambulance service has been treating critically ill and severely injured patients at the scene of an incident.
However, due to the severity of its call-outs, including road traffic collisions and cardiac arrests, the charity recognises that many of its patients are often left with significant physical and emotional challenges, such as living with a traumatic brain injury or coming to terms with the loss of a limb.
The Aftercare team are on hand to provide these patients with an explanation of the care they received, as well as ongoing support throughout their recovery, in what is seen as a crucial step in the charity’s development.
The team can also provide key signposting or introductions to specialist support services, where practical, social and emotional support are recognised as invaluable in the journey of recovery.
The team, made up of two of the charity’s own paramedics, Tom Nickisson-Richards and Nicola Hawkes, and a senior hospital nurse, Nikki Harris, each have a wealth of medical knowledge and experience to provide support and detailed explanations of specific treatments.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Aftercare Manager, Tom, said:
“Patients who have been treated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance have often experienced significant illness or injury. Not only have their lives been turned completely upside down, but the lives of their families have also been profoundly affected. Aftercare will provide a consistent point of support to these patients and their families, helping them to make sense of what happened. We’re extremely grateful to supporters of the charity whose generosity makes our vital new service possible.”
Dale Muffett from Portsmouth was treated and airlifted to hospital when he was hit by a car while out jogging on New Year’s morning in 2021. Dale has been working with the Aftercare team to help him understand what happened on scene.
Dale said:
“I have no memories of when I was injured and much of what happened to me was totally unknown. To be able to speak with the Aftercare team and then meet with the paramedic who saved my life was amazing. They answered all my questions and gave me a really good understanding of everything that happened to me on the day. It has helped me process what happened and has given me a huge appreciation for everything Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance did for me when saving my life.”
Dale and his wife Rachael meeting the Aftercare team and specialist paramedic who helped save his life
Relatives of suddenly bereaved patients with unresolved questions can also access support – as can bystanders and personnel from other emergency services, who may also be significantly affected by traumatic scenes.
Since its first flight in July 2007, the charity has responded to almost 17,000 emergency calls for help, many of which have been lifesaving. The charity relies entirely on donations from the public to keep the air ambulance flying and saving lives.
Visit www.hiowaa.org/patient-family-support for more information.
