Your support means we carry a variety of life-saving supplies, medication and equipment on board – bringing the hospital to the patient. One of the most vital supplies for our patients is emergency blood and plasma.
Patients who have life-threatening bleeding from incidents such as road traffic collisions or stabbings, often require an emergency blood transfusion. By carrying blood products on our aircraft and cars, more patients reach hospital alive.
We’ve now been carrying blood on board our aircraft and vehicles since 2014. An integral part of that is our partnership with SERV Wessex – The Blood Runners, who keep our stock fresh and ready for our patients.
Using sophisticated temperature-controlled packaging, which keeps the blood safe to use, volunteers carry fresh units of blood to our airbase three times a week.
So far this year, SERV Wessex has supplied us with fresh blood and plasma 715 times.
Any blood that is not used within 48 hours during emergency missions is then transported back to University Hospital Southampton for use in theatres.
To help provide our patients with the best possible outcome, SERV Wessex now permanently base at least one of their vehicles at our charity office. This offers them a direct route to both UHS and our airbase.
Our Director of Income and Engagement, Keith Wilson, said:
“This new initiative is representative of our plans to continue building on our already fantastic relationship with SERV Wessex and other emergency services support staff. This organisation is crucial to the survival rates and positive outcomes of so many of our patients. And we will do whatever we can to support them.”
Are you looking to volunteer your time for a worthy cause? Contact our volunteering team today.
