New Paramedics Join Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance Team

A new group of paramedics has joined Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, strengthening the charity’s ability to deliver specialist pre-hospital emergency care across the region.

Working alongside pilots, dispatchers and doctors, the charity’s advanced paramedics respond to critically ill and seriously injured patients 365 days a year – both on board the helicopter and as part of the critical care paramedic response car.

Crews are most frequently called to incidents such as cardiac arrests, road traffic collisions and other life-threatening emergencies.

The latest intake includes two experienced road paramedics and two secondee paramedics beginning their advanced training, with a further four highly qualified critical care paramedics set to join later this year.

Together, the new recruits bring a mix of experience and fresh expertise, helping strengthen the service while also investing in the future of critical care across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Paramedics joining the charity will complete a structured Advanced Paramedic (Critical Care) training pathway, developing specialist skills in areas such as trauma care, sedation, aviation medicine and complex decision-making in emergency situations.

One of the new recruits, Robyn Painting, who qualified as a paramedic in 2019, said:

“I have always loved being a paramedic and find it most rewarding treating time-critical patients, which is what drew me to joining Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

“Training to become a critical care paramedic will undoubtedly be challenging.

"There is so much to learn, from advanced clinical skills to aviation.

"However, I’m excited by the opportunity to challenge myself.

"I am really looking forward to the professional development opportunities and to learn alongside such a skilled and highly motivated team.

“Getting to fly in a helicopter is an added perk of the role.”

The charity is currently raising funds to relocate its operating base from Thruxton to Southampton Airport.

So far, £2.7 million has been raised towards a £3.6 million target, with the service hoping to begin operating from the new base in Spring 2026.

Nick Gray said:

“This is an incredibly exciting and important time in the charity’s history.

"Our airbase relocation and recent paramedic recruitment underscore our continued commitment to growing our service and achieving the best possible outcomes for every critically ill and seriously injured patient across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“We’re extremely grateful to everyone in our community whose support funds training, equipment and the operational readiness of the service.”

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was recently rated ‘Outstanding’ following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

More information about the charity can be found at hiowaa.org.