A round-the-clock critical care car service has been launched across Nottinghamshire, allowing specialist doctors and paramedics to respond to serious emergencies at any time of the day or night.
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) said the expanded service would bring advanced treatment directly to critically ill and injured patients across the county.
Operating from Tollerton, the car is equipped with the same specialist equipment carried aboard the charity’s helicopter, including ventilators, advanced medicines and equipment used to provide emergency blood transfusions.
Crews can also deliver procedures normally carried out in hospital, including pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia, advanced pain relief and some surgical interventions.
The team will respond to incidents including road collisions, cardiac arrests, falls, industrial accidents and assaults across Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas.
LNAA introduced its Nottinghamshire Critical Care Car in 2020 following a trial that indicated around 400 incidents each year could benefit from the charity’s specialist care but were not being reached.
The charity subsequently worked with East Midlands Ambulance Service to review emergency-call data and identify where additional cover was needed.
During the first 21 days of July, the Nottinghamshire car was dispatched to 81 incidents. Thirty-six of those calls took place during the additional shifts created by the move towards round-the-clock operation.
LNAA said the expanded hours had therefore increased the car’s mission activity by almost half during that period.
The service has also acquired two new Volvo XC90 vehicles following funding from the HELP Appeal.
Laura Evans, LNAA’s head of operations, said its clinicians responded to patients suffering from the most serious injuries and illnesses.
“Our clinicians can provide the highest level of specialist critical care, including blood transfusions, surgical procedures, advanced pain relief and pre-hospital emergency anaesthesia, at the roadside or in homes when needed to stabilise the most critically ill patients,” she said.
LNAA is a charity and receives no government or NHS funding for its daily missions. Its helicopter and critical care car operations are supported by donations, fundraising and lottery income. Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance
