Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance provides life-saving, pre-hospital critical care, to patients in need. We are your local air ambulance charity, a vital part of the community and we rely on your support.

Since March 2000, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has been there for critically ill and injured people when they need us the most. The enhanced skills of our team, specialist equipment and drugs that we carry, along with the speed of our response, can make the difference between life and death.

Our team of highly skilled pilots, critical care practitioners, nurses, and doctors are operational for 19 hours a day (7.00am-2.00am), 365 days a year; together they work tirelessly to save lives.

Our pilots use their incredible flying skills to reach patients in the local community, often in remote locations, by the roadside, in a park or on a beach. Our clinical team provide complex and life-saving interventions to stabilise and treat patients at the scene of the incident. Together, our clinical and aviation team essentially bring the hospital to the patient wherever they may be, giving them the best possible chance of survival.

Once patients reach the hospital, our patient and family liaison nurses are swiftly on hand to provide support during the hardest time of their lives. Their work is a crucial part of the clinical care and support we provide to patients and their families.

The service we provide is 95% funded by charitable giving; by people like you. Last year, your air ambulance service was tasked to 2,424 incidents; with each mission costing approximately £3,500. Together, with your support, we can be there for patients today, tomorrow and in the future.

Structure, Governance and Management

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is controlled by a Board of Trustees embracing a balanced spectrum of skills and experience including Healthcare, Aviation, Legal, Business, Finance, Military Services, Charities and Local Affairs.

Trustees are appointed in accordance with the DSAA constitution and fulfil their responsibilities within clearly defined and approved Terms of Reference. The Board comprises a Chair and up to twelve other trustees. It has two sub committees responsible respectively for staffing and remuneration and finance. It is policy to maintain a balance in county representation on the Board.

Representatives from Specialist Aviation Services and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASfT) also attend Board meetings as required, to provide additional operational advice. 

Supporting Organisations

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is committed to maintaining the highest standards of fundraising behaviour and adhering to the standards set by the Fundraising Regulator. We are also a member of Air Ambulances UK (AAUK), the national organisation representing, supporting and advocating the life-saving work of the UK's 21 air ambulance charities.

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