In an innovative partnership aimed at enhancing patient care on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is joining forces with the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service to advance critical care training for Island paramedics.
The programme is designed to further develop the critical care skills and experience of Isle of Wight paramedics to help them manage complex and critical emergencies and will add to the Island’s already developed critical care paramedic service. This will ensure that Island residents receive the best possible care in their hour of need.
Paramedics seconded to the air ambulance service
Starting in September 2024, select Isle of Wight paramedics are being seconded to the air ambulance service, where they will train and work alongside the charity’s experienced critical care teams.
Upon completing their training, these paramedics will return to the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, where they will apply their enhanced skills to continue serving their community.
Through this collaboration, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance’s doctors and critical care paramedics will provide in-depth training in advanced trauma care, clinical decision-making and critical emergency procedures to Island paramedics.
Hands-on training
The programme includes hands-on training in emergency surgical procedures, anaesthetic techniques and life-saving therapies typically available only in hospital settings. Additionally, paramedics will have access to advanced simulation training, postgraduate education at St George’s University, London, and supervised anaesthetic training at University Hospital Southampton.
The two services are also exploring collaborative efforts to run the emergency dispatch desk from the Isle of Wight, supported by Island-based paramedics, to further improve response times and coordination.
Gray: This training collaboration marks the beginning of a strengthened partnership
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Paramedic Clinical Lead, Nick Gray, said,
“At Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, we share the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of clinical care for Islanders, precisely when they need it most.
“This training collaboration marks the beginning of a strengthened partnership.
“Through closer teamwork, our clinical teams are already seeing faster response times and enhanced collaboration—outcomes that will undoubtedly lead to even better patient care.”
Pike: We are delighted to be taking this next step
Isle of Wight Ambulance Service Medical Lead Dr John Pike said,
“Partnering with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is already providing direct life-saving benefits to Island patients.
“Combining both organisation’s ethos and determination for exceptional critical care and spreading the experience and knowledge of the critical care teams through combined training can only further improve patient care.
“We are delighted to be taking this next step to formally partner with our regional critical care experts.”
Approximately 10 per cent of the charity’s call-outs each year are to the Isle of Wight—176 in 2024 alone. The air ambulance and ambulance crews will continue responding to patients in need, 365 days a year.
For more information, visit the HIOWAA website or IW Ambulance Service website.
News shared by andrew on behalf of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. Ed
