UK aeromedical charity Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance has signed off 2021 as the busiest year in its history. It moved to a new headquarters and upgraded to a new Leonardo AW169 helicopter, while also responding to more than 1,400 missions. Compared to 1,095 in 2020 and 877 in 2019, it's a significant leap.

CEO Karen Jobling says: “Just like many other charities, we went into 2021 not knowing what to expect. We had projects that were underway before the first lockdown so we had to dig in and keep going on those fronts, keeping in mind that they were all foundations for the future of the charity. This is what has enabled us to reach more patients this year.”

The addition of a second helicopter, an AW109, over the summer came in response to an anticipated surge in visitors to the Lincolnshire coast as lockdown measures eased. This contributed to the rise in call outs as it became the busiest summer the charity had ever had.

Throughout the year additional highly skilled doctors and paramedics have joined LNAA. with some travelling from Aberdeen, Kent and even Lisbon in Portugal. This meant that by September, crews were able to respond day and night using a mix of the helicopter and critical care cars.

The charity teams and crew moved into a new, purpose-built headquarters in Lincoln at HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) Way in the summer and celebrated the official opening in September when HRH The Earl of Wessex officially opened the building. The clinical and aviation operation had formerly been based at RAF Waddington with the staff situated in Bracebridge Heath, so the development of HEMS Way gave everyone the opportunity to be under one roof for the first time.

Another stride in clinical care came with the introduction of blood plasma. Blood was already carried on board but plasma was added because as a clotting agent, it is integral to the care given at the scene of a traumatic incident, anywhere within the 3,500 sqm LNAA covers.

“Our crews continue to be out there and, just like their NHS colleagues, they are dealing with the added pressure and complexity the spread of Covid brings," adds Jobling. "The only difference is that we are there purely because of the generous donations we receive from our communities.

“We are so pleased that we have been able to be there for more patients in 2021. Of course, with each mission costing on average £3,500, it comes at a cost. It is only because of the generosity of our supporters that more patients have been helped by a crew with the highest skills and standards in pre-hospital care. Everyone here at LNAA would like to send all of our wonderful supporters our wholehearted thanks.”