Air Ambulance Crews Respond To 2,000 Emergencies Across Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight In 2025

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has already responded to more than 2,000 emergency missions so far this year — a figure that highlights the growing demand for the life-saving service.

The charity’s expert team of doctors, paramedics, pilots and dispatchers are called to around seven critically ill or injured patients every day, bringing advanced, hospital-level treatment directly to the scene.

Rising demand — and new challenges

While cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions, and severe medical emergencies remain the most common reasons for dispatch, the charity says it has seen an increase in callouts to assaults and incidents of intentional self-harm across the region this year.

In total, the team has administered 40 blood transfusions and performed nearly 200 pre-hospital emergency anaesthetics — putting patients into an induced coma to take over their breathing or protect vital organs before hospital arrival.

Island and regional coverage

Crews have been frequently called to Southampton, Portsmouth, Eastleigh, Andover, Basingstoke, Fareham, Havant, Winchester — and the Isle of Wight.

July 2025 was the service’s busiest month on record, with 274 dispatches logged.

At the current rate, the charity expects to surpass last year’s total of 2,544 missions, continuing a steady year-on-year rise in demand since its first flight in 2007.

Since then, the service has responded to more than 22,000 emergencies by air and road.

A pivotal year for the charity

Chief Executive Richard Corbett praised the tireless work of his teams and the ongoing support from the public:

“Each year our dedicated teams deliver exceptionally high levels of care to desperately ill and severely injured patients across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

"The ever-increasing demand on our service means more patients have hope of making it back to their friends and families in the best possible state.”

The charity is currently fundraising for its Operation Airbase appeal — a £3.6 million project to relocate its airbase and headquarters to a new site near Southampton Airport.

The move aims to improve response times and expand operational capacity across the region.

So far, £2.27 million has been raised towards the target.

“With the relocation of our airbase fast approaching, we are at a pivotal moment in this charity’s history,” Richard added.

“It’s thanks to our dedicated and generous supporters that we’re in such a strong position with a fantastic platform to build upon.”

For more information or to support the appeal, visit www.hiowaa.org