London’s Air Ambulance has received a makeover making communication key following its annual service.

The bright red aircraft has been emblazoned with emergency markings and important messages including a ticker on the tail boom detailing the number of critical missions attended by the medical team, currently standing at more than 28,500.

It is hoped the new design will raise awareness of the vital lifesaving work carried out by the service.

Chief Executive Officer of London’s Air Ambulance, Graham Hodgkin, said: “Our aircraft provides the most effective opportunity for us to deliver our key messages to London and potential donors.

“London’s Air Ambulance is a charity relying on your support, delivering highly specialist doctors and paramedics to the scene of critical injury, and the service is an essential part of London’s emergency infrastructure.”

“A stronger, more powerful relationship with all of our supporters will be a key component of the current fundraising effort for a new, second helicopter this year.”

Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management and Patron of London’s Air Ambulance, said: “This remarkable charity saves lives across the capital on a daily basis and our decision to support it was an easy one.

“It deserves the backing of everyone who lives, works and travels in London and I am incredibly proud to be one of its Patrons.”

Common misconceptions about London’s Air Ambulance

Myth: London’s Air Ambulance is government funded.

Fact: London’s Air ambulance is an independent charity that relies heavily on donations from organisations and individuals. The charity does receive a significant contribution from the NHS, which includes the salary payments of its seconded doctors and paramedics. London’s Air Ambulance is not part of the London Ambulance Service (LAS), although they work very closely together, alongside all the other emergency service providers to deliver the best possible patient care.

Myth: London’s Air Ambulance is a patient transportation service.

Fact: The helicopter is a rapid mode of transport that delivers an advanced trauma doctor and paramedic to a patient’s side within minutes of their accident. The team performs lifesaving procedures on scene, that are normally only found in a hospital emergency department, such as open chest surgery, blood transfusion and anaesthesia. Typically, the doctor and paramedic escort the patient in a LAS land ambulance to the nearest trauma hospital, although the aircraft can be used if deploying to the Royal London Hospital via the helipad.

Myth: Trauma is a rare incident.

Fact: Trauma is the most common cause of death for under 45 causing more lost years than cancer and cardiac arrest. London sees some of the highest rates of trauma in the world and the London’s Air Ambulance advanced trauma team can be the difference between whether someone lives or dies, but also whether they recover to lead a relatively normal, healthy life.

Myth: London’s Air Ambulance has a number of helicopters.

Fact: London is the only capital city in the world with only one helicopter for its air ambulance service. Most other major world cities have 3 or 4 medical helicopters. London’s Air Ambulance is currently fundraising for a second aircraft.