We are delighted to announce that three members of our team have been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence. Sponsored by Airbus, these annual awards, organised by Air Ambulances UK, celebrate and recognise the specialist life-saving skills and commitments of those within the air ambulance community.

Shortlisted finalists for this year’s Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence

Dr. Ian Mew has worked with Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance for nine years and has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Doctor of the Year category. Ian is a talented intensive care and anaesthesia consultant and an inspirational air ambulance doctor, who always goes above and beyond for patients and their families in all his professional domains. Ian has been instrumental in transforming care that is provided to patients across the South West and has hugely contributed to the development of injury prevention campaigns locally, regionally and on a national scale.

Pete Appleby has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Critical Care Practitioner of the Year category. Pete has taken on a multitude of projects over the past year, alongside his expected responsibilities as a specialist practitioner in critical care. He has devoted significant time (often on a voluntary basis) to enhancing our operations, whilst acting as Deputy Air Operations Officer; a supportive, unpaid role, which significantly assists the smooth running of the service. Pete is a superb practitioner and an extra-ordinary patient advocate. He has championed the needs of patients and families through his unique mixture of extensive practical experience, analytical reflection and compassion.

Wayne Busby has been our aircraft maintenance engineer for eight years and is shortlisted as a finalist in the Operations Support Staff of the Year category. Wayne’s total dedication to the maintenance of our AW169 helicopter often sees him work unsociable and extended hours. His exceptional contribution has enabled us to maintain a high level of service availability across the region, enabling many more life-saving missions to be achieved. This is in no small part to the exemplary way that Wayne has dedicated his time and skill set to the task.

Dr. Ian Mew

Pete Appleby

Wayne Busby

Charles Hackett, Chief Executive Officer said:

Our team are thrilled to be recognised in three categories at this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence and it really is nothing short of what they deserve. The individuals mentioned are part of a fantastic team that we have at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and they have been nominated by their peers in recognition that each of them have gone over and above. Good luck to Ian, Pete and Wayne – we look forward to finding out the winners in November.

The Air Ambulances UK Awards of Excellence will take place on Monday 14^th November 2022 in Birmingham, where the winners will be announced.

A list of all the award categories and those who have been shortlisted, can be found by visiting: https://www.airambulancesuk.org/air-ambulances-uk-2022-awards-of-excellence-shortlist-announced