The same two weekends last year – when COVID restrictions remained heightened – saw the charity’s teams respond to 17 incidents. Andy Mawson, director of operations at GNAAS, said: “Demand is much higher than last year, and at times has been higher than ever before. “The problem is that although demand is now back to … Continued
The service which goes live from tomorrow night will mean the charity’s doctor and paramedic teams will be available around the clock in the region on Friday and Saturday nights. Currently, the charity is fully operational in Cumbria on the new Pride of Cumbria II helicopter 12 hours a day between 8am and 8pm. As … Continued
49-year-old David Stockton was appointed as our chief executive earlier this year, following a gruelling recruitment process. David brings decades of experience in the commercial sector to the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) and we were keen to find out more about the man himself as he settles into his new role within the … Continued
Gifts come in all shapes and sizes, both large and small. Gifts from the heart, though, are by far the greatest of all. Philippa Elmhirst, 81, from York, has decided she would like to leave the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) a gift in her Will – a legacy that will enable the charity … Continued
The Pride of Cumbria II will be based near Penrith and will enable the charity’s critical care team to reach even more patients across Cumbria thanks to its upgraded power and versatility. The aircraft was met by cheers and applause from her new team as she took her first flight into the county this afternoon … Continued
A pilot from the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who was awarded the prestigious military cross in 2007 has taken over the role as the charity’s chief pilot. Keith Armatage from Newcastle has been with the charity for six and a half years following a 25-year career in the military. The promotion comes after … Continued
The potentially life-saving intervention was introduced on a pilot test basis at the charity in 2020 but up until recently, has never needed to be used on a patient. The specific agent is called Diphoterine ® solution and has been used primarily in hospital environments. Its job is to stop acid or alkali chemicals when … Continued
Stuart Rushton took his first HEMS flight with GNAAS back in 2018 and as a relief pilot for the charity, he now works semi-permanently out of our Langwathby airbase. Holly Taylor caught up with Stu to find out more about his career path. Stu, talk me through your career from the beginning up until now? … Continued
A young woman from Penrith has said her beloved horse Bart ‘saved her life’ following a collision with a car which resulted in him being put down. 20-year-old Francesca Kennedy was on a hack with her friend and fellow rider, Hannah Farrell, when they were involved in a collision with a vehicle near Clifton. Since … Continued
One person giving up their Christmas this year is our paramedic Ian Grey. We chatted to Ian to find out about what it is like leaving family behind at home to be part of the life-saving critical care team on shift at GNAAS across the festive period. Here’s what he said: Ian, what shifts are … Continued
