Devon Air Ambulance reports “record-breaking year” as demand rises

Devon Air Ambulance has reported another “record-breaking year.”

The trust stated that it responded to 10 per cent more serious illnesses, injuries, and incidents across Devon and neighbouring counties, providing crucial, time-critical care to 4 per cent more patients.

In light of this, the charity has expressed its gratitude to the local community for “enabling it to continue its vital service.”

The site operates various landing sites across North Devon. 

Its 2024 mission statistics show that of the 2,459 times the service was called to assist, 1,254 missions were attended by helicopter and 1,104 by Critical Care Car; marking a 36 per cent increase from 2023. 

Additionally, the charity’s Volunteer Responders were tasked with 118 missions.

DAA crews helped 1,187 patients suffering from medical emergencies last year, with cardiac arrests being the most common cause, accounting for 383 cases.

They also responded to 1,254 trauma-related incidents, including 334 road traffic collisions. Of the 2,459 total missions, they assisted 164 children (aged 0-17 years), 855 adults (aged 18-69 years), and 381 patients over 70 years of age.

The charity operates 365 days a year, using two helicopters for its missions. 

Alongside this, it also deploys a fleet of Critical Care Cars to deliver urgent, hospital-level care to patients. 

In 2024, they responded to 442 nighttime deployments, where the charity’s 202 community landing sites played a crucial role in enabling DAA pilots to land as close to the scene as possible.

Darren Goodwin, Operations Director for Devon Air Ambulance, said: “These record-breaking figures highlight that the demand for our service continues to rise and indicates just how often we are called to assist critically ill patients at home, in workplaces or while they are out enjoying the beautiful Devon landscape. None of these lifesaving missions would be possible without the generosity of our supporters and donations from the communities we serve, for which we really are, deeply grateful."