International SOS and London’s Air Ambulance today announced a strategic partnership for 2013. The partnership will focus on securing additional funding for London’s Air Ambulance to sustain the vital life-saving services it delivers across the capital and support a number of key enhancements being made by the charity.

London’s Air Ambulance, the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, helped almost 2,000 patients last year and is keen to enhance its expert medical services that are delivered across the capital by adding a second helicopter, additional medical teams, and an enhanced research and innovation programme . As a leading medical assistance provider, International SOS recognises the importance of these initiatives and is supporting itsfundraising efforts.

International SOS Regional Managing Director Andrew Skehel, “Our organisations have a lot in common and we both understand the importance of providing expert medical support, so we’re pleased to join forces to share expertise, commission research, and promote better healthcare awareness and emergency treatment.”

To kick-off the new collaboration between these leading health and assistance organisations – International SOS and London Air Ambulance held a special ‘Emergency Response – Go Behind the Scenes’ event on Friday, 12th April 2013.

Graham Hodgkin, CEO of London’s Air Ambulance said: “Thank you to International SOS for choosing us as their charity partner.  As leaders in our respective fields, there are strong synergies between the services we deliver, and I see our new relationship as mutually beneficial, with a complementary focus on collaborative education and research.  Each and every one of our supporters plays an integral role in allowing us to continue delivering advanced trauma care to those who need it, and ultimately, to help us save the lives of people from all over the world who visit, live or work in London. We are truly excited about embarking on this new partnership.

The importance of self-awareness for health and well being was one of the key aspects of the day at Chiswick Park, whichincluded demonstrations on medical procedures, basic life support training, wellness checks, personal fitness advice and a ‘travel tent’ offering individual assessments and advice on traveling, be it for business or pleasure.

There were a number of fun activities and competitions to raise the profile of London’s Air Ambulance such as

o London’s Air Ambulance car race
o Helicopter simulator game
o “Build a Lego helicopter” competition.

The event was opened by Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, and a number of leading figures from West London including local MP, Mary Macleod were present to show their support.
 
About International SOS

International SOS is the world’s leading medical & security services company operating from over 700 sites in 76 countries with 10,000 employees, led by 1,100 physicians and 200 security specialists. Our global services include medical and risk planning, preventative programs, in-country expertise and emergency response for travellers, expatriates and their dependents of over 70 percent of the Fortune 500 companies.

About London’s Air Ambulance

London’s Air Ambulance  is the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London.
Using a helicopter by day and rapid response cars by night, a doctor and paramedic team can be at a patient’s side within minutes, providing life-saving medical interventions, such as open chest surgery, blood transfusion, and anaesthesia, at the roadside.

London’s Air Ambulance:

•    Is currently fundraising for a second helicopter
•    Runs a lottery for £1 per week
•    Serves the 10 million people who live, work and holiday within the M25
•    Missions commonly involve serious road traffic collisions, falls from height, industrial accidents, stabbings and shootings
•    Was founded in 1989
•    Undertakes 2,000 missions on average per year
•    Has world’s highest survival rates from interventions such as open-heart surgery
•    Is internationally renowned for clinical excellence and pioneering procedures, such as roadside blood transfusion, that are adopted by other organisations.