Thanks to the HELP Appeal, BASICS Devon, a network of volunteer doctors, who support the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust at emergency incidents, have launched their very own rapid response vehicle to support their emergency responders across Devon
BASICS Devon is one of a national network of 32 regional schemes across the UK, which operates under the umbrella of the British Association for Immediate Care. The new vehicle has been made possible after the group successfully bid for a total of £44,000 from a grant of £250,000, which is given to the Association every year by the County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads.
The vehicle has hi-visibility and reflective markings; fitted with communication and navigation equipment; blue lights, sirens, and a dash cam, to ensure its volunteer doctors can drive safely to an emergency incident.
The 4 x 4 Skoda Kodiaq, is now active across Devon, carrying volunteer doctors, to the scene of critically ill or injured patients in the community or at the roadside. This vehicle also provides the opportunity for education in pre-hospital medicine to other healthcare professionals.
This will be the first scheme response vehicle for BASICS Devon. Having their own emergency response vehicle to access critical, isolated, sick, and injured patients will help to ease pain and suffering and save lives across one of the most rural counties in the country. It will enable their volunteers to reach remote communities with ease, safely and quickly, in all weather conditions and in most cases arrive before the ambulance.
Supporting rural communities means that they must reach isolated and vulnerable communities promptly when seconds count.The ambulance service remains under pressure with activity levels increasing due to the pandemic and needs specialist support for the most critical patients.
Since January the volunteer doctors have responded to 415 call outs, 144 of which were at night, arriving first on the scene at 31% of them.
Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal added:
“These volunteers are the unsung heroes of emergency care – giving up their free time to support their local ambulance service. This donation will ensure they have the highest standard of transport at their disposal to ensure they can treat patients quickly and safely, giving them the best possible chance of survival and recovery.”
Last year, BASICS Devon also secured £39,000 from the County Air Ambulance HELP Appeal’s annual grant of £250,000 given to the British Association of Immediate Care. It was used to equip members’ existing vehicles for an emergency role, such as the installation of CCTV technology and winter tyres. The funding also enabled one new doctor to join the scheme after their vehicles were equipped to reach emergency incidents. This has helped with callouts in the North Devon area enabling the scheme to reach more people in the community to save lives.
The HELP Appeal was created 12 years ago by the County Air Ambulance Trust. It is the only charity in the country dedicated to funding NHS hospital helipads. To date it has funded over 40 helipads, which have received almost 20,000 landings, including at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. The HELP Appeal relies solely on charitable donations and does not receive any government funding or money from the National Lottery. To donate CLICK HERE.
