The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) has announced a record-breaking year, responding to 2,272 critical incidents in 2024—a 15% rise from the previous year. With demand for its services continuing to grow, the charity’s crew is now busier than ever, providing life-saving care across its operating region.
Record Numbers Reflect Rising Demand
Established in 2007, GWAAC has seen a steady increase in calls for its services. In 2024, its highly skilled team of critical care paramedics and doctors averaged six missions daily. Tim Ross Smith, GWAAC’s operations officer, explained:
“Demand generally across the NHS is up, and we are getting more requests for assistance from local land ambulance crews, on top of traditional air ambulance call-outs for incidents like road traffic collisions and cardiac arrests.”
Focus on Cardiac Arrests and Young Patients
Of the total missions, cardiac arrest cases were the most common, accounting for 501 incidents—22% of all call-outs. GWAAC has prioritised its Great Western Hearts programme, equipping communities with the knowledge and resources to respond effectively to cardiac arrests.
Additionally, 2024 marked a significant increase in missions involving children and teenagers. The crew responded to 379 incidents involving young patients, making up 17% of their total call-outs—an all-time high for this demographic.
Road Traffic Collisions and Medical Emergencies Dominate
Road traffic collisions were the second most frequent incident type, with the crew assisting 338 individuals at crash sites. Overall, serious medical incidents made up 55% of missions, while trauma-related cases comprised 45%.
GWAAC’s operating region, which includes parts of Wiltshire, saw 77% of missions carried out in the charity’s critical care cars and 23% in their iconic green and blue EC135 helicopter.
Community Support Vital for Future Operations
GWAAC’s Chief Executive, Anna Perry, expressed pride in the team’s work and called on local communities to support the charity’s efforts:
“I’m very proud that our specialist crew has been able to help a record number of patients in urgent need of critical care in 2024. Everyone who supports GWAAC has worked really hard to raise the funds needed so we could be there to help keep families together.”
Perry added that the growing demand highlights the need for ongoing community contributions to ensure the charity’s life-saving services can continue.
As the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity faces increasing demand, the dedication of its crew and the generosity of supporters remain essential. With its vital role in responding to life-threatening emergencies, GWAAC is a critical lifeline for the communities it serves.
