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Harpenden Choral Society
Registered charity 275986
President: Hon. Alderman Chris Oxley
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HARPENDEN CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS CHEQUE TO
HERTS AIR AMBULANCE
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On Tuesday 22nd February 2011, Harpenden Choral Society Treasurer Bob Jones (left) was delighted to present a cheque for £800 to Michelle de la Bertauche, Fundraising Manager for the Herts Air Ambulance. The money was raised at the Choral Society Carol Concert in December 2010. Accompanied by choir members Kate Lloyd-Davies (right), herself a Herts Air Ambulance volunteer, and photographer Michael Powles, the presentation was made to Michelle and the crew at the Herts Air Ambulance base at North Weald airfield near Harlow.
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The Herts Air Ambulance is a vital life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). It is entirely reliant on voluntary donations, as it receives no government or National Lottery funding. It costs £130,000 a month to run and is a vital link between major accident scenes and specialist hospitals. The crew consist of an experienced pilot (in blue), a doctor who has specialised in emergency medicine and a highly-qualified paramedic.
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Paramedic David works with the stretcher
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Bob inspects the cockpit
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On arrival at an accident scene, the team is able to assist land ambulance crews further by sometimes per- forming life-saving procedures on the spot and stabilising the patient before rapidly transporting them to the most appropriate hospital. This service often saves lives that otherwise might be lost in the time taken to drive the patient by road to the
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nearest hospital, which might not have the best specialist facilities available.
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In addition to road traffic accidents, the air ambulance may be asked to attend a variety of other emergencies. For example, it can reach places where road access is poor, such as open countryside or golf courses. It also attends accidents on building sites or in factories, and can even be called to medical emergencies in the home if speed of treatment is paramount.
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The availability of the sophisticated medical equipment on board the air ambulance is such that, in effect, it takes the A&E department to the roadside. It carries more powerful drugs and anaesthetics than a land ambulance, thereby enhancing the enormous life-saving value of such an aircraft.
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Every year the helicopter has a major service, which is more like a total rebuild. The aircraft is completely stripped down to its shell and all flying and medical systems maintained and returned to their ‘as new’ factory settings. This takes two weeks to complete.
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When we visited the airfield, the services of the helicopter were not called upon. However, this does not mean that the crew sits idly by doing nothing. The pilot has to keep up to date with the many operational requirements of an active airman and undergoes a test of his abilities every six months.
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paperwork, they have regular training sessions to enable them to make the best possible decisions in the field for any given situation.
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It is truly remarkable that this service is provided through the generosity of the public and local businesses, and it is good to know that every contribution helps, no matter how large or small.
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