The Wales Air Ambulance Charity has invested in a new patient liaison nurse for North Wales, North Powys and North Ceredigion.

Hayley Whitehead-Wright, from Welshpool, supports patients and their families following incidents attended by Wales Air Ambulance as part of the Charity’s new aftercare service. This includes bereavement support for those who had lost loved ones.

Mum-of-one Hayley, who lives with her partner Matt in Wrexham, recently started her new role. She joins Jo Yeoman who is a Patient Liaison Nurse covering south Wales, south Powys and south Ceredigion.

Hayley is an experienced nurse with over 15 years in healthcare roles. Her most recent position was as a senior staff nurse on the Intensive Care Unit at Wrexham Mealor Hospital, where she worked for nearly 13 years. For 10 years of her career, Hayley was also part of their follow-up and bereavement team, which provided support for patients and their relatives who had experienced time on the Unit.  

About the aftercare service, Hayley said: “Wales Air Ambulance attends life and limb-threatening emergencies across Wales. People who have been attended by our crews will likely have experienced a sudden, traumatic event. Patients often have no recollection of the incident at all or are left with some upsetting memories. The road to recovery is a difficult process, and everyone's experience is different

“Our aftercare service is here to answer any questions that patients and their loved ones may have about the treatment received and we can fill in any gaps to help them understand what happened.

“The journey can sometimes be stressful and confusing, leaving those involved feeling a bit lost and unsure about what lies ahead. We are here to help our patients, not just with our advanced critical care following an incident, but also throughout the recovery process. That process is different for everyone, but it can often take longer than anyone imagines, both physically and psychologically.

“Sadly, there are times when our patients pass away. The loss of a loved one is a personal and heart-breaking journey. Our service is also on hand to support bereaved families and friends during this difficult time.”

Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive, said: “The introduction of our aftercare service is an important expansion of our aim to offer the best possible care for the people of Wales.

“Wales Air Ambulance is constantly analysing the service we provide across Wales and seeking opportunities to enhance the delivery of our advanced care for those in need. As a result, we identified an opportunity to offer the highest level of support beyond an incident. Thanks to our new aftercare service, we are one of the first to be by the side of somebody in need and now we are one of the last to leave them following their recovery, ensuring that they are provided with vital support and guidance along the way.

“We’re delighted that Hayley has joined our new aftercare service offering support across mid and north Wales.”

Speaking about joining the Charity, a delighted Hayley said: “I’ve been given the amazing opportunity to join the Wales Air Ambulance team and become the new Patient Liaison Nurse, working alongside the incredible Jo Yeoman.

“I am finding my role very rewarding and everyone has been extremely friendly and welcoming. Being able to support patients and relatives during a time that is often extremely traumatic is such a privilege. I am looking forward to what the future holds as the aftercare service continues to develop and I am excited for the future of the Charity.”

Hayley’s role has been funded through the Hospital Saturday Fund grant.

The Wales Air Ambulance service offers advanced critical care across Wales. It is delivered via a unique Third Sector and Public Sector partnership between the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS Cymru). As a result, the service is consultant-led and is known as a ‘flying emergency department’, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient at the scene of an incident. This includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

The Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity has recently set up a new section on its website, where past patients and family members can access valuable information and support. For more information visit www.walesairambulance.com/patient-support