How We Help The Care We Provide How We Deploy and Deliver Critical Care Tasking the Air Ambulance We are dispatched via the ‘999’ emergency system by a dedicated Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) desk, located at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust clinical hub in Exeter. Funded by five South West air ambulance charities, including Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, the HEMS desk ensures the most appropriate air ambulance responds swiftly when a patient’s life is at risk. HEMS dispatchers are experts in air ambulance capabilities and regulations. Using advanced mapping systems, they assess incident locations, notify our aircrew, and coordinate updates with land crews to ensure seamless emergency response. Deployment Factors Before deployment, factors like location, landing conditions, and proximity to Major Trauma Centres are assessed. Our aircrew can reach any point in Dorset or Somerset within 20 minutes and transfer patients to specialist facilities quickly. Our Airbase Based at Henstridge Airfield on the Dorset/Somerset border, our team provides rapid response and transport to critical care facilities across the South West. Major Trauma Centres and Hospitals We frequently fly patients to the most appropriate facility for their needs, including: Fast, Expert Care When It Matters Most Our goal is to provide life-saving care, rapid transfers, and seamless coordination to improve survival and recovery rates for critically ill and injured patients. Want to find out more about our service? Our in-person talks provide an inside look at our life-saving service, helicopter operations, medical equipment, and fundraising efforts. These presentations help raise awareness and support for our vital work. Interested in booking a talk? Book a Talk Here Manage Cookie Preferences