In 2015, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) began carrying blood and plasma on board their aircraft and overnight cars. This introduction allowed the critical care team to deliver transfusions at the scene of an incident, to the most seriously ill or injured patients, giving them the best chance of survival. This treatment was … Continued
Phil Godfrey has been a doctor at the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) for the past 12 years. Holly Taylor chatted to Phil to find out more about what his work involves outside of the organisation and what he likes to get up to in his free time. How long have you worked at … Continued
At the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), pilots are an integral part of the critical care team. After all, no pilot means no helicopter. Nigel Lynch has been a pilot with the charity since February 2021, before that, he had an extensive career in the military working all over the world and flying search … Continued
The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has appointed a new Cumbrian chief pilot. Kendal-born Phil Lambert flew into GNAAS ten years ago following a 22-year career with the Army. Phil, who works from the charity’s base in Langwathby, Cumbria, said: “I am so incredibly proud to head up a brilliant team of pilots at … Continued
33-year-old Nicola Schunke, from Southport, joined the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) back in August 2021 as their newest doctor. Nicola recently passed her sign-off which means she is now a fully fledged member of the critical care team. Holly Taylor chatted to her to find out more about her work, life outside of … Continued
Sarah Richardson-Kane had gone out to buy ingredients to prepare dinner for her family when she was involved in a crash on the A167 between Thirsk and Northallerton. Sarah said: “I’d came home from work to make my tea and forgot that I needed breadcrumbs to make the fishcakes, so I decided to go over … Continued
The charity has launched a new time critical emergency transfers service in Cumbria to help bridge the gap between the hospitals in the region and major trauma centres. The new service, which will run on Friday and Saturday nights, is to transfer the sickest patients from Carlisle and Whitehaven hospital to specialist units around the … Continued
Sadly, Martin died before Christmas of natural causes. Although we never had the chance to publish his story in Martin’s lifetime, his family have asked if we would still share it. This is Martin’s story… A walker needed the help of specialist rescue teams when a path collapsed, sending him tumbling onto a dry riverbed. … Continued
A Cumbrian man said his outlook on life has totally changed following a collision involving his motorbike and a tractor which has left him with life-changing injuries. Stan Wood from Alston had been visiting his mother in Penrith in September last year when the accident happened. Stan said: “I thought I would go the scenic … Continued
28-year-old Hollie Smith from Chester-Le-Street joined the charity last month after nine years with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS). Holly Taylor chatted to Hollie to find out more about her life, her new role and the reasons why she wanted to become a paramedic. In her own words, Hollie said: I feel so lucky … Continued
