PAD Star® Solar Plus – Addenbrookes

Since 2000, East Anglia Air Ambulance (EAAA) has responded to almost 23,000 missions, increasing year on year, with the 2016-2017 period busier than ever before at over 3000 missions attended. Established with just one helicopter and operating one day a week in Norfolk, with a pilot and a paramedic, the operation has now expanded to two modern Airbus H145 helicopters, which are based at Norwich and Cambridge airports and now carry two pilots, a doctor and a critical care paramedic minimum per mission. They are available seven days a week, providing critical emergency care across the region.

In 2014, EAAA became the first air ambulance in the country to develop a night flying capability. Out of all of the vast number of missions flown in 2016-2017, more than 250 (circa 10%) were at night. Using night vision technology, EAAA crews can reach patients in the remotest parts of the region, however, lighting systems that meet strict regulatory guidelines are still required at several “unlit” hospital helipads. Where such lighting is not available; the EAAA is working with these hospitals, in conjunction with FEC Heliports and the HELP Appeal, to both fund and install market leading, fully compliant lighting solutions.