Accident and injury have no age limit, as Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s latest figures on child patients show. Last year, the charity treated 181 patients under the age of 18 - an average of 15 each month. Of these, 82 were under five years old.
With a critically ill child, time is of the essence. The charity’s specialist crews are trained in how to treat young patients and teams always carry paediatric equipment on board.
When a child is severely injured, it can be a highly stressful scenario. Crews need to work quickly to keep the child - and their family - calm and reassured while delivering the vital care they need.
Matt Hale, Critical Care Paramedic at Thames Valley Air Ambulance said:
“The point we meet a child is a pivotal moment, it could go one way or the other. It is an extra challenge because you essentially have two people to care for: the child and the parent.
“Everything we do for our young patients is thanks to the amazing support from our community. Their donations mean we can always remain fully equipped to provide top-quality paediatric care.”
10-year-old Gyaan saw first-hand the difference that hospital-level care can make, when Thames Valley Air Ambulance treated his seven-year-old sister, Jiya, after a horse-riding accident left her with a severe fracture to her right arm.
Gyaan said:
“The crew who helped my sister were so skilful and brilliant. Not only did they give her the best possible care at the scene, but they even told her funny jokes to take her mind off the pain.
“We never know when we might need them. I certainly did not expect to, but I’m forever grateful that they saved my sister.”
To find out more or to support Thames Valley Air Ambulance, visit www.tvairambulance.org.uk or call 0300 999 0135.
