THAMES Valley Air Ambulance has released new figures which show the service is more in demand than ever as it enters its 25th year.
The charity provides support for people in emergency situations, including giving medical aid and transport to critically ill or injured patients.
Statistics released by the charity show that it was called out to nearly 3,300 times in 2023, with 1,177 callouts in Berkshire.
This is compared to 1,095 in Buckinghamshire, 943 in Oxfordshire, and 78 in surrounding areas.
It constitutes an increase of around 4% across the Thames Valley since last year, though callouts in Berkshire saw less of a rise at around 1%.
While it marks the busiest year in the charity’s history, it is a slower rise than the 10% yearly increase observed in 2022.
May was the busiest month of the year, with teams responding to 313 callouts across the month.
Cardiac arrests remain the most frequent reasons for response, with 1,212 dealt with by the charity– more than three per day.
Amanda McLean, chief executive officer at Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said: “This year marks the 25th anniversary of our lifesaving service and, as these figures show, we’re reaching more patients than ever.
“Over the last 25 years, our charity has expanded and evolved–we’ve continued to be at the forefront of critical care, using state-of-the-art kit and being part of ground-breaking research, as well as becoming an independent healthcare provider and bringing our air operations in-house.
“This all means we can provide the best possible care when it’s needed most.”
She explained: “But we wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the support of the community that we serve.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story over the last 25 years–we’re looking forward to having you by our side for the next chapter.”
Thames Valley Air Ambulance provides critical support for injured or seriously ill people, including emergency response, transportation, and medical care.
As a charity, it is not regularly funded by the government and relies on donations.
More details about Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s statistics are available via: tvairambulance.org.uk/mission-map/
