Wales Air Ambulance has welcomed the Founder and Life President of Devon Air Ambulance to its headquarters in Carmarthenshire.
Dr Ann Ralli has described her visit to the airbase in Dafen as ‘hugely insightful’ saying ‘collaboration is key to helping save more lives.’
The retired teacher from Exmouth, Devon said: “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to meet the Wales Air Ambulance team and to learn about their lifesaving work.
“My children are half-Welsh, and one of my sons lives in Mid Wales in a very rural spot and supports the Charity, so I have always wanted to visit.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet the crew, operational staff, and fundraising team.
“It is so important that the air ambulance community works together and collaborate as much as possible. We all want the same outcome, and that’s to save more lives!”
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Ann has a deep passion for prehospital medicine, after her son suffered fatal injuries after being knocked off his bicycle in 1986.
The mother of four said: “When I asked a surgeon what could have saved Ceri, I was told that only an air ambulance taking critical care to the scene could have made a difference.
“His words kept going around in my head, but at the time I had three younger children to look after, I had to make sure I was there for them and not be swept up in my own grief.
“But I was also thinking, what would Ceri want me to do? He was very active and always liked to help others and make a difference.
“If there had been an air ambulance, he would be the first one out there fundraising for it. That’s how the Ceri Thomas Appeal started and it took four years of fundraising and lobbying before we finally got our first aircraft off the ground.”
Ann has continued to be one of Devon Air Ambulance’s biggest champions and is always looking at new ways to help improve patient outcomes. Her present focus is bystander intervention, an area where Wales is leading the way.
Save a Life Cymru, part of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust, was established to improve out of hospital cardiac arrest survival across Wales. It is supported by health and emergency service organisations, including Wales Air Ambulance.
Ann said: “When Ceri was lying on the floor, I froze, I did not know what to do. Neighbours, family members and colleagues, are often the first people on the scene, and we need them all to be lifesavers.
“It’s why I feel so passionate about everyone learning CPR, from school age upwards. It’s been wonderful to hear about the collaborative work being done by Wales Air Ambulance, the Welsh Ambulance Service and Save a Life Cymru.”
Sian Davis, Save A Life Cymru – Community Coordinator Team Leader said: “Our goal is to help create a nation of lifesavers by encouraging people to learn CPR. Research shows that early CPR and using a defibrillator can at least double a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.
“Over 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, so saving a life often depends on family, friends and the people nearby. A life could depend on you.
“Help is closer than you think, by ringing 999 and listening carefully to the call-handler you can make a difference.”
Emma Grant, Wales Air Ambulance’s Public Affairs Lead said: “It’s been an honour to welcome Ann to our airbase and share her inspirational story with our team.
“Ann has created an incredible legacy in memory of her son Ceri. As a mother of two sons, it has been deeply moving to hear her talk so candidly about her difficult journey.
“Thirty years on, and she is still seeking new ways of improving patient outcomes.
“We are delighted that we have been able to facilitate a base visit and host a meeting with Save a Life Cymru in the hope of encouraging more people to learn CPR. Together we can make a lifesaving difference.”
