Alison Seabeck MP

Working hard for you

Visit to Devon Air Ambulance Trust

Alison recently visited Devon Air Ambulance Trust.  Devon Air Ambulance Trust is the charity which raises the funds to keep both Air Ambulances in Devon flying. The charity was started by Ann Thomas whose son died in 1986 after being knocked from his bicycle.  The consultant at hospital told her the quicker a patient gets to hospital/receives medical treatment, the more likely they are to survive.  The charity will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on 27th August 2012.

Alison met the team and saw the Air Ambulance taking off in response to an emergency.  To date the Exeter helicopter has flown 13,220 missions (21st March 2012).  The ambulances undertake life-saving missions – events such as road traffic collisions and equestrian accidents as well as medical emergencies such as cardiac arrests.  They reduce patient deterioration ie from spinal injuries, head injuries and burns and can take the patient to a specialist hospital which may not be the closest to the incident.  It costs in the region of £4.5 million each year to keep both helicopters flying.

If you would like more information about the Devon Air Ambulance Trust visit their web site www.daat.org