In the early days of air ambulances it was the speed of the aircraft in reaching a patient and transporting them to the nearest hospital that made the difference between life and death. Whilst this is still vitally important, it is now proven that the pre-hospital care patients receive at the scene can significantly improve their outcomes. This has led to the need for ever more specialised procedures and techniques, some of which can only be carried out by or under the supervision of a doctor.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance (WAA) is paramedic led but benefits from the voluntary support of seven doctors, who provide 1-2 clinical shifts per month each under an honorary contract with the NHS. Our goal is to expand the number of doctor-led shifts by raising funds for Dr Holme, an emergency medicine consultant at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, to provide two shifts per week in addition to a minimum of one voluntary shift per month. WAA will in effect purchase these shifts from the NHS.