New three year strategy for Wilts Air Ambulance as post-pandemic costs rise

During last year – 2020 – the Wiltshire Air Ambulance was called out to deal with a new record number of incidents – 1,238. Across the same period it’s income dropped by £500,000 as fundraising events were cancelled due the Covid pandemic.

To address this the charity has launched a new three year strategy to realise an income target which will rise from £3.75m to £4m from the next financial year (2021-22) onwards.

It’s not just about raising more money. Wiltshire Air Ambulance plans to enhance its clinical delivery by investing in additional training, as well as increasing the number of pre-hospital consultants (doctors) on its rota.

The new strategy also reveals:

• The charity is taking steps to futureproof itself, including investigating the possibility of replacing its existing Bell 429 helicopter in the next three to five years, along with succession plans being arranged for its senior team and Board of Trustees.
• Wiltshire Air Ambulance aims to embrace a digital culture, including advancements in patient care and paper-free record keeping for both clinical and aviation operations.
• The charity wishes to enhance its journey for patients and their loved ones, as Wiltshire Air Ambulance intends to research the possibility of employing someone to a dedicated patient liaison role.
• The charity is committed in its aim to educate every child in Wiltshire, Bath and surrounding areas in lifesaving skills, such as CPR, through its Emergency Awareness Training programme.

Barbara Gray, Director of income generation and communications for Wiltshire Air Ambulance said: “In the past eighteen months we have already adapted and coped with the very real clinical and financial challenges the Coronavirus pandemic has thrown at us and I’m extremely proud of our response.

“The long-term impacts of the virus remain unknown; however, this new three-year strategy is vital for the charity as we continue to consolidate and build again as life begins to get back to normal.

“We have important challenges ahead, with our financial target increasing to £4m a year and the potential succession plans for our helicopter, staff and board.

“Everyone has a part to play in our future, from staff, clinicians, volunteers, stakeholders and our donors.”

So far in 2021 the demand for the Air Ambulance has increased further with an extra 5% need for its lifesaving service. So every bit of income is vital, as it saves lives.