About Us

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance is a registered charity, established to provide relief from sickness and injury for the people of Dorset and Somerset, by the provision of an air ambulance. We receive no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and rely on the generosity of the public for support. Our operational costs are over £3.5 million a year and the approximate cost per mission is £3,000.

Since our launch in 2000 we have flown thousands of missions. We are tasked as part of the normal ‘999’ emergency process by a dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) desk located at Ambulance Control (paid for by the South West Air Ambulance Charities) and can attend up to eight or nine incidents in a single day.

Our airbase is situated at Henstridge Airfield on the Dorset/Somerset border. From there, we can be at any point in the two counties in less than 20 minutes. More importantly, the helicopter can, if required, then take a patient to the nearest Major Trauma Centre in the South West within a further 20 minutes.

Chief Executive Officer, Bill Sivewright, shares how far we have come since our formation in 2000.

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 fulfill their responsibilities within clearly defined and approved Terms of Reference. 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.

Code of Conduct

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 the Association of Air Ambulances (AAA).

Latest

Dinnington Ride 2019
Stuart & Oli's Cycle Challenge

Please support us in raising money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, a fantastic and essential charity. It's a cause close to our hearts as regular visitors to the Dorset coast and countryside.

On 12th May we're going to be undertaking a 54-mile coast-to-coast cycle ride which starts at Watchet Harbour in the North and ends at West Bay in the South, through the beautiful Somerset and Dorset countryside. It's a challenging ride along a mixture of quiet back roads, intersperse
Ray Paice - Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge 2019

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) is a registered charity, established to provide relief from sickness and injury for the people of Dorset and Somerset, by the provision of an air ambulance.

I’m supporting DSAA as they receive no direct funding from the Government or the National Lottery and rely on the generosity of the public for support. Their operational costs are over £3.5 million a year and the approximate cost per mission is £3,000.
In memory of Mervyn Hancock

My dad had a sudden heart attack a few weeks ago and the Air Ambulance attended and took my dad to Bournemouth hospital. My family and I would like to raise awareness and funds for your vital service.