18-Apr-2024Source: HELP Appeal
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust officially opened its new upgraded hospital landing site for air ambulances today. The helipad was funded by a £321,000 donation from the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital helipads. Senior executives from the Trust, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the HELP Appeal and other stakeholders attended the... Read more
24-Jan-2023Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
The charity’s helicopter was used for 670 (63%) of the missions, with the remaining 391 incidents attended by critical care cars. A total of 263 patients were transferred to local hospitals (up from 237 in 2021), the majority of which to Royal United Hospital, Bath (84), Southmead Hospital, Bristol (63) and Great Western Hospital, Swindon... Read more
3-Mar-2022Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Wiltshire Air Ambulance has decided to continue with its existing helicopter until at least 2025. It follows a review by the charity’s board and leadership team, which formed part of its three-year strategy launched last August. The charity has used its existing Bell 429 helicopter since becoming a standalone operation in 2015. Wiltshire Air... Read more
12-Jan-2022Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Donning PPE and continuing throughout lockdowns, Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s critical care paramedics and doctors were there for the people of Wiltshire and Bath when they were needed most. Of the 1,104 missions last year, 653 were by helicopter and 451 were in the Rapid Response Vehicles (cars). Chief executive David Philpott said: “The year 2021... Read more
12-Jan-2021Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Wiltshire Air Ambulance undertook 1,238 missions in 2020 – a record number since the charity became a stand-alone air ambulance in 2015. Despite two national lockdowns due to the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and now a third to begin 2021, the need for Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s lifesaving service has never been more crucial. David Philpott,... Read more
9-Dec-2019Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance has enhanced the blood products it can give to critically injured or unwell people by carrying plasma. The charity is now carrying two units of plasma onboard and this will be used with two units of O negative blood (packed red blood cells). Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been carrying packed... Read more
11-Nov-2019Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Wiltshire Air Ambulance is delighted to announce it has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and will return to Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) immediately. The charity is now just one of four air ambulances who hold their own Air Operator Certificate. Wiltshire Air Ambulance chief executive David Philpott says: “This has been a hard... Read more
9-May-2019Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Developers at OJO Solutions, based in Bradford on Avon, have donated £15,000 worth of studio time to build the app which launches this month. It takes £3.75 million per year to keep the Wiltshire Air Ambulance flying and saving lives – a key fact that inspired the team when they were designing the game. Competitors... Read more
10-Jan-2019Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
We are pleased to announce we intend to resume flying operations from Friday (11 January) through a contingency arrangement with Specialist Aviation Services. A back-up helicopter (MD 902) will be brought online for day flying (8am-6pm, seven days a week) for the foreseeable future. Our charity previously shared an MD 902 helicopter with Wiltshire Police... Read more
4-Jan-2019Source: HeliHub.com
Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) have had to ground their Bell 429 helicopter after their operator Heli Charter Ltd went into voluntary liquidation. That move means that the company is no longer trading, which in turn invalidates their Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) on which WAA relies. Without a nominated AOC holder, they cannot fly. WAA issued... Read more
20-Dec-2018Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulanc
HER Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall officially opened Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s airbase at Semington, near Melksham, on Friday 14 December. The official opening comes seven months after Wiltshire Air Ambulance moved to the purpose-built airbase in May 2018. This significant milestone brought together the helicopter, operational, fundraising and administrative teams on to one site... Read more
16-Nov-2018Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
A DEDICATED volunteer and a successful fundraising campaign for its new airbase has resulted in Wiltshire Air Ambulance winning two prestigious awards. The charity enjoyed their success at the Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence, run by the Association of Air Ambulances, at a ceremony in London on Monday (12 November). Colin Smith, of Chippenham, Wiltshire,... Read more
17-Aug-2018Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
We’re pleased to confirm that the precautionary testing of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance helicopter and airbase have confirmed no contamination has been identified. The Air Ambulance Airbase, located in Semington, was closed temporarily and the Air Ambulance was grounded on August 1 for testing to take place, as part of the ongoing operation into the... Read more
23-May-2018Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
A newch apter in the history of Wiltshire Air Ambulance began on Thursday 10th May 2018 when the charity starts working from its new airbase at Semington, near Melksham. The move to the new airbase co-incides with the successful conclusion of the charity’s major fundraising Airbase Appeal. The custom-built airbase, at Outmarsh, will bring together... Read more
21-Mar-2018Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance carried out its first landing on the helipad at the charity’s new airbase at Semington, near Melksham, today (Tuesday 20 March). This exciting milestone was followed by the official handover of the airbase to Wiltshire Air Ambulance. The building will now be fitted out before the charity’s fundraising, administrative and operational teams... Read more
27-Feb-2018Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance’s state-of-the-art new airbase has been praised by the HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal, which has generously funded the helipad with a £250,000 donation. Yesterday (22 February) Robert Bertram, Chief Executive of the HELP Appeal, visited the new airbase at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, for the first time since construction began.... Read more
16-Oct-2017Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance held a topping out ceremony today (Thursday 12 October) to mark the progress of the building work on its new airbase. The project is over half way through and the roof of the airbase is on, most of the exterior walls are complete and the floors are down. Representatives of Wiltshire Air... Read more
14-Jun-2017Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance has secured funding and taken delivery of a new airfield lighting system that will assist its helicopter whilst taking off and landing safely at its airbase in Devizes at night. The purchase of the new lighting, a HEMS-Star portable helipad lighting system, has been funded by a donation of £6,950 from the... Read more
2-May-2017Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
HER Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton, and The High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Lady Marland, joined Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Charity Ambassadors and supporters today (Friday 28 April 2017) to celebrate the start of construction work on the charity’s new airbase at Semington, near Melksham. At a ground breaking ceremony on the site of... Read more
21-Feb-2017Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance’s major fundraising appeal for its new airbase is to receive a significant donation of £250,000. The funding is for the helipad and associated costs at the charity’s new airbase at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, and has been given by the HELP (Helicopter Emergency Landing Pads) Appeal. The HELP Appeal is the... Read more
1-Feb-2017Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance is calling on businesses to get onboard its major fundraising appeal for its new airbase at Semington, near Melksham, by joining The 100 Club. The charity has a strong track record working with businesses who raise money towards the day to day costs of its lifesaving service. It has now created The... Read more
24-Nov-2016Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) has been awarded £1 million towards its new airbase. The £1 million is from the LIBOR fund and was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Philip Hammond, during the Autumn Statement in the House of Commons today (23 November 2016). The LIBOR fund is monies from fines... Read more
12-Nov-2016Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Lottery and Superdraw have achieved a major milestone – by generating £1 million in income. In addition, the number of people playing the charity’s award-winning lotteries – just over 35,500 – is an all-time high. As well as raising money to keep the charity’s helicopter flying and saving lives, members who play... Read more
17-Feb-2016Source: WAA
AN Outline Planning Application to build a new home for Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) has been granted by Wiltshire Council. The new home, on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington, near Melksham, will bring together WAA’s helicopter, aircrew and charity team onto one site for the first time. The Outline Planning Application received no objections. The... Read more
13-Jan-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Britain’s Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) has marked the completion of its first year operating as a stand-alone service, which has seen a 10.4% increase in missions. The WAA helicopter was called out to 537 incidents between 9th January 2015 and 8th January 2016, up from a total of 486 in calendar year 2014. Prior to... Read more
7-Jan-2016Source: Swindon Advertiser
There has been an increase in the number of calls-outs by Wiltshire Air Ambulance in the last year following the introduction of a new helicopter.See full story.... Read more
25-Nov-2015Source: HeliHub.com
Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) is progressing its plans to move onto a single base from where both helicopter operations and all charity functions can be run. WAA has confirmed they have submitted an Outline Planning Application to Wiltshire Council for its proposals at a 12.6 acre (5.1 hectare) site on land at Outmarsh Farm, Semington,... Read more
3-Sep-2015Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
PRE-hospital blood transfusions can now be given to patients treated by Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s Critical Care Paramedics. On August 17 2015 Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) began carrying blood on the helicopter and rapid response vehicle, which will benefit seriously ill and injured patients in need of emergency blood transfusion. The charity has teamed up with... Read more
14-Aug-2015Source: WAA
WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance (WAA) held a public consultation event yesterday (Wednesday August 12th) for local residents and businesses to find out about its proposed new home to base the charity’s helicopter, aircrew and office staff. The charity has been searching for a site for its new home for over a year and its preferred location... Read more
6-Aug-2015Source: Gazette & Herald
Wiltshire Air Ambulance may have found a new base in the county after a year-long search. See Full Story. ... Read more
22-May-2015Source: Swindon Advertiser
The Duchess of Cornwall, patron of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust, hosted a reception at Highgrove House to mark the 25th anniversary of the air ambulance. See Full Story ... Read more
20-Mar-2015Source: WAA
Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) hosted a special get together of patients it has airlifted since it started operating on March 15 1990. The service has saved countless lives during its 25 years and has carried out almost 15,000 missions. To mark the service’s Silver Jubilee the charity invited past patients to visit the helicopter’s base... Read more
4-Feb-2015Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
Pilot Steven Judd, who will oversee the operation of Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s pioneering new helicopter, says he is joining at an exciting time in the charity’s history. The charity’s new helicopter is the first Bell 429 to operate as an air ambulance in the UK. It leases the helicopter from Heli Charter and Steven has... Read more
8-Jan-2015Source: WAA
Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) is pleased to announce that its new helicopter will begin operating on January 9th 2015. The charity was given the go-ahead for the helicopter, a Bell 429, to undertake Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) missions following a visit by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) today (January 8). The Bell 429 is... Read more
22-Dec-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Wiltshire Air Ambulance should start operating their new Bell 429 on 1st January, and their recent press release which stated “a delay of a week or so while we enhance our safety training on the Bell 429 and satisfy the Civil Aviation Authority of our mission readiness” was indeed very carefully worded. For some non-aviation... Read more
30-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
All air ambulance helicopters in England and Wales are funded by charitable contribution, and the launch of Britain’s first Bell 429 featured no shortage of important people from the county of Wiltshire. Dignitaries included no fewer than ten mayors from various towns and Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, the Queen’s official representative in the... Read more
17-Oct-2014Source: Gazette & Herald
Wiltshire Air Ambulance has announced that George Lawrence will be the Unit Chief Pilot of the new Bell 429 helicopter which starts operating on January 1. See Full Story... Read more
14-Oct-2014Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), will showcase Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust’s (WAACT) Bell 429 at Helitech International in Amsterdam from October 14-16. After delivery, the aircraft will become the first Bell 429 in the United Kingdom used for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS). Additionally, this year, Bell Helicopter is also celebrating... Read more
13-Oct-2014Source: HeliHub.com
For almost ten years, the British county of Wiltshire has been host to an MD Explorer jointly operated by the Police and Air Ambulance – a relatively unusual British aviation industry phenomenon with a Governmental organisation working hand-in-hand with a charity. This arrangement draws to a close at the end of November, with the aircraft... Read more
10-Oct-2014Source: This is Wiltshire
Mandy Clarke is the new chairman of Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust’s board of trustees. See Full Story... Read more
1-Jul-2014Source: Wiltshire Air Ambulance
An Internationally recognised Aviation experts has recently joined Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) to oversee the charity’s transition from its current collaborative partnership with Wiltshire Police to a completely separate and independent Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) provider at the end of this year. Giorgio Bendoni joined WAA in May as Bell 429 Program Co-ordinator to... Read more
11-Jun-2014Source: Swindon Advertiser
Wiltshire Air Ambulance are preparing to sign a five year lease allowing them to continue to operate from Wiltshire Police HQ at Devizes. See full story... Read more
12-Feb-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Wiltshire Air Ambulance has told the residents of the British county it represents that it is actively on the look-out for a new base. From when they launched operations through to the end of November 2014, Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been a joint operation with Wiltshire Police in which the law enforcement unit owned and operated... Read more
7-Jan-2014Source: Heli Charter
Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust (WAACT) today (7th January 2014) signed a 10-year contract in Swindon with Heli Charter Ltd for a new helicopter, which will come into service at the end of the year, when the lease on the current 12 year old aircraft expires. After a great deal of deliberation over the last... Read more
21-Apr-2012Source: Swindon Advertiser
Wiltshire Air Ambulance charity has secured the services of Dr Rod Mackenzie as its medical director. Dr Mackenzie is a consultant in emergency medicine and pre-hospital emergency medicine at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge. His role with Wiltshire Air Ambulance is unpaid. (see full story)... Read more
31-Jan-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Wiltshire Police operate an MD902 Explorer throughout their county for law enforcement operations. They also operate it on a contract with the Great Western Ambulance Service to make the aircraft more cost effective by virtue of more flying hours per year – it currently flies around 600 hours per year, roughly half the UK average... Read more
12-Sep-2011Source: BBC
The Wiltshire Air Ambulance was stopped from taking a dying man to hospital after laser pens were shone at the pilot as he tried to land. The man later died on the way to hospital in a road ambulance, although there are no details on the medical state of the patient to know whether or... Read more
14-Mar-2011Source: NatWest
Wiltshire Air Ambulance paramedic, Bruce Jarvis, paid a flying visit to NatWest’s Chippenham branch today to collect £3000, after the charity was announced as the winner of a NatWest Community Fund award In August NatWest launched a new fund, as part of its customer charter, to support local charities and projects, and invited customers and... Read more
1-Jul-2010Source: Salisbury Journal
An air ambulance expert has been named the new chairman of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal. David Philpott, 52, the founding chairman of the Association of Air Ambulances, takes up his post today, 1st July.... Read more
11-Feb-2010Source: This is Wiltshire
A ball to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance is being held on March 27.... Read more
18-Sep-2009Source: Wiltshire Times
The Duchess of Cornwall’s first act as patron of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Appeal was to draw the first numbers in the charity’s fundraising lottery.... Read more
