Crew Configuration
In 1987 the first helicopter air ambulance in Cornwall began operations with a paramedic and technician medical crew and single pilot configuration. In 1988 London HEMS commenced operational duties with a doctor / paramedic medical crew and a twin pilot configuration.
For many years the development of the industry followed the Cornwall lead of ambulance paramedic / single pilot configuration. In 2003 however Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) commenced operations with a doctor paramedic crew and subsequently several other units changed their crew configuration, including Kent Air Ambulance and Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. Through out this time other air ambulance services have also intermittently carried volunteer doctors.
UK HEMS promotes a model of care utilising a paramedic/ physician partnership to deliver the highest levels of clinical care and governance that would normally only be expected with in the hospital environment.
Whilst often considered a radical proposal in the UK, the combination of doctors and paramedics or doctors and nurses staffing air ambulances is common place throughout the world, especially in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and parts of Australasia. The crew configuration map shows the countries where this configuration is common place.