Two decades of partnership: Saving lives together

Whether it’s a call to somebody in cardiac arrest or somebody needing an urgent blood transfusion after a serious road collision, by combining the speed and specialist capabilities of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) with the expertise of ground ambulance crews, our region has an integrated response that is both efficient and highly effective. Together, we have responded to major trauma incidents, medical emergencies, and complex life-threatening medical emergencies – often in the most challenging conditions.

HEMS crews work alongside EEAST crews to make sure the sickest and most seriously injured people get the right help, fast. This pre-hospital emergency medicine partnership across our region brings hospital-level treatment directly to the scene and gives thousands of people the best possible chance of survival and recovery in some of their darkest moments. With air ambulance crews taking advanced skills, equipment, and medication you would normally find in a hospital A&E department directly to the patient, critical care starts immediately at the scene.

Over the past two decades, this partnership has evolved. Advances in clinical practice, technology and training have enabled air ambulance crews to deliver increasingly sophisticated care at the roadside, in homes, and in remote locations. Critical interventions such as pre-hospital anaesthesia, blood transfusions, and advanced trauma care are made possible by the seamless coordination between air and ground teams.

At the Critical Care Desk (CCD) managed in Norwich, Chelmsford and Bedford, experienced clinicians (usually critical care paramedics) who also work with HEMS charities, including East Anglian Air Ambulance, Magpas and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, watch over every 999 call that comes in. Their role is to spot the emergencies where an advanced out‑of‑hospital critical care team could support an EEAST crew and make the difference between survival and recovery.

Magpas Air Ambulance’s Executive Medical Director, Dr Simon Lewis MBE, shares, “EEAST isn’t simply a partner to Magpas Air Ambulance, they’re part of the foundation on which everything we do is built. Every advanced intervention we carry out on scene depends on a well-coordinated, highly skilled ambulance service working alongside us. Operating alongside EEAST crews every single day, our partnership runs far deeper than shared geography; at every level of our organisations, we share a common goal of improving outcomes for patients by providing outstanding pre-hospital care 24/7.

“As EEAST marks this milestone, Magpas Air Ambulance is proud to be part of its story. We look forward to seeing what the next 20 years has in store, and we thank every member of the EEAST team who makes this partnership work for patients across the region.”

Dr Tony Joy, Medical Director at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance added, “What’s so exciting about our partnership is how we continuously work together across the region to improve pre-hospital care and outcomes for patients. In a world where every second counts, pioneering initiatives like the cardiac arrest desk, which uses real-time video technology to coach 999 callers through CPR before an ambulance arrives, are genuinely saving lives across the East of England. We look forward to another 20 years of innovation so we can help more patients in their critical moment of need.’’

The people and families we serve are at the heart of our collaboration and always will be. As we look back on 20 years of partnership, we also look ahead. Together with the ambulance service, we remain committed to innovation and pushing the boundaries of pre-hospital care for the benefit of every single person we are called to help.

This milestone is not only a reminder of what has been achieved, but of what is possible when organisations come together with the common purpose of saving lives, so thank you, EEAST, for two remarkable decades. Here’s to many more years of collaboration and support for our communities.