Local MP Stephen Metcalfe
paid a visit to the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance last week to see firsthand
the invaluable service they provide to people in South Basildon and East
Thurrock and across Essex.
Unlike NHS services, Essex
Air Ambulance is a charity providing a free lifesaving emergency medical
service for the critically injured in Essex and Hertfordshire. It allows
specialist doctors and critical care paramedics can be rushed to the scene of
incidents such as traffic collisions and cardiac arrests with life-saving
support equipment - the sort of care that is usually found in A&E
departments.
Based at Earls Colne near Colchester, the helicopter is
never more than eight minutes flying time from any one of the major hospitals
in Essex and flies at a speed of 150 miles per hour. The Air Ambulance is
deployed on an average of 2-3 times per day. To date the aircraft has flown
over 11,800 missions, costing in the region of £250,000 per month to cover all
charitable costs and aircraft operations.
Mr Metcalfe was given a tour of the visitor centre and
had the opportunity to meet some of the team who keep the Air Ambulance flying.
He commented: “It was a privilege to visit Essex Air Ambulance station. They
provide such a vital service to the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock,
only last month did they attend an incident in Grays. They bring life-saving
expertise to people in great need and to do so because the people of Essex give
so generously.”
“Essex Air Ambulance is a fantastic charity and I would
encourage all those that can to contribute to their invaluable work. I would
also encourage the people of South Basildon and East Thurrock to book a tour
and a trip to the visitors centre to get a real insight into how the service
works, what it does, and into some of the lives they have saved.”
For further information, to donate, or to arrange a visit
at the visitors centre, please see: http://www.essexairambulance.uk.com/
