Life-saving impact of intensive care given to patients by Sussex air ambulance is highlighted in new study

A new study by the air ambulance which serves Sussex and the University of Surrey has highlighted the value of life-saving service provided by the charity.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The study looked at patients who experienced a sudden unexplained loss of consciousness from a medical emergency, which were attended by the Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) over a four-year period.

It found that in 65 per cent of these cases KSS’s doctors and specialist paramedics were required to carry out hospital-level emergency interventions at the scene. 77 per cent of patients with an unexplained loss of consciousness also needed to be transported to hospital by KSS so that they could continue to receive hospital-level intensive care during transfer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The findings show that the world-leading emergency care provided by KSS is critically important for these patients.

The air ambulance  and its crew save many lives. Photo contributed by KSSThe air ambulance  and its crew save many lives. Photo contributed by KSS
The air ambulance and its crew save many lives. Photo contributed by KSS

Professor Richard Lyon MBE, Associate Medical Director at KSS and Professor in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care at the University of Surrey said: “We know specialist interventions, like emergency anaesthesia, when delivered at the scene of an accident can significantly improve the outcome for patients with traumatic brain injury. This study, which we believe to be the first of its kind, highlights how patients who suffer sudden medical emergencies, can also benefit from the air ambulance attending to rapidly deliver hospital-level intensive care.”

David Welch, KSS CEO, said: “KSS is dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for its patients, and through our research we seek to save even more lives.”

“But as a charity, we are reliant upon donations from the public and our local community to raise the £15M it costs each year to operate our life-saving service. I want to convey our sincere thanks to all our supporters for their continuing generosity during what continues to be an unprecedented time.”

Related topics: