Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson visited Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) at its North Weald airbase to gain a first-hand insight into the charity's life-saving work and the vital emergency critical care it provides to communities across Essex, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.
Dr Hudson was welcomed by Chief Executive Officer Mark Jarman-Howe, Fundraising and Marketing Director Debs McLean, Chairman of the Development Board Mark Bevan CVO and Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships Natalie Chevin. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the expertise of its clinical teams, explain the challenges of delivering a 24-hour emergency critical care service and discuss important issues affecting patient care, including improving hospital helipad access.
During the visit, Dr Hudson learned more about the scale and complexity of EHAAT's operations. The charity attends around 200 missions every month and averages six missions per shift, operating from airbases in North Weald and Earls Colne. EHAAT employs around 160 staff, operates two helicopters and six Rapid Response Vehicles and is supported by a dedicated engineering team to keep its fleet operational.
Dr Hudson was shown around one of the helicopters by two of the charity's pilots, who explained how every mission is crewed by a doctor and paramedic and equipped to deliver advanced pre-hospital emergency care. Patients can be transported directly to hospitals with landing facilities, including the major trauma centres at The Royal London, Addenbrooke's and St George's. The pilots also highlighted the importance of teamwork across the service, explaining how crews can travel from one end of the operational area to the other in just 28 minutes, helping to ensure patients receive urgent specialist care as quickly as possible.
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust relies upon the generosity and goodwill of local people and businesses who make donations and fundraise to keep the service flying. The charity must raise over £15 million every year to continue delivering its life saving service. During discussions with the charity's leadership team, Dr Hudson heard about current priorities, including improving hospital helipad access and managing rising operational costs such as aviation fuel, which now costs approximately £200,000 each year.
The visit also included discussions about the unique challenges of responding to serious incidents in rural communities, including farm accidents in remote locations. EHAAT's ability to reach patients rapidly and deliver near Accident and Emergency level treatment at the scene can make a critical difference to patient outcomes.
Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, Dr Neil Hudson MP, said:
"It was a genuine privilege to spend time with the incredible team at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust at North Weald Airfield and to see and hear about the remarkable work they carry out every single day.”
"Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust provides a vital service that saves lives across our region, often in the most challenging circumstances. Whether responding to serious road traffic collisions, medical emergencies or farm accidents in remote rural areas, their ability to deliver expert care quickly can make all the difference.”
"As a charity, this life-saving service depends on the generosity of the public, and I would encourage folk to support the amazing Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust if they are able to do so."
Chief Executive Officer of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, Mark Jarman-Howe, said:
"We are always pleased to welcome local Members of Parliament to our airbases so they can gain a better understanding of the work we do on behalf of the communities they represent. These visits are an important opportunity to demonstrate the expertise of our crews, explain the challenges of delivering a 24-hour emergency critical care service and raise awareness of issues that can have a direct impact on patient care.”
"As a charity, every mission we attend is only possible because of the generosity of our supporters. We hope visits like these help build a greater understanding of the vital role Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust plays across the region and why continued public support is so important."
EHAAT provides emergency critical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While helicopters are used during daylight hours, the service relies on four specially equipped hybrid Volvo Rapid Response Vehicles during the hours of darkness. Each vehicle is fitted to the same clinical standard as the charity's aircraft, ensuring patients receive the same advanced level of care regardless of how the team reaches them.
Local schools and colleges are encouraged to take part in and benefit from CPR Smart, EHAAT's lifesaving education programme. By delivering CPR and AED training to sixth form students and teachers, EHAAT clinicians equip young people with the skills and confidence to respond in a cardiac emergency.
