Two paramedics have spoken about taking on the role of supporting airlifted patients and their families following serious accidents whilst working full time.

Tony Stone and Adam Carr who are both Essex & Herts Air Ambulance patient liaison managers (PLM’s) regularly visit patients at home and hospital during their free time.

The duo often organise day’s out to one of the Charity’s Airbases, allowing those recovering to meet clinical staff who treated them.

The PLM’s assist patients by guiding them towards recovery and to help them remember and understand what happened after someone dialled 999.

Mr Stone explains: “We signpost people to support organisations like Headway, Spinal Injuries Association, Road Safety Trust, Victim Support, Limbless Association, Changing Faces and Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Adults. All these different organisations can support people after an incident.

“If we can make their journey and their recovery even one per cent better then that’s a success.”

Mr Carr says they help by filling in the gaps for people who have had `the worst day of their life’.

“Most can’t remember that day, or the days leading up to that, he explains. “That could be because of the incident or it could be because of the drugs and interventions we’ve performed that have taken away their memory.

“They ask questions that people wouldn’t think of. It may be something really small but that small thing builds up and up and becomes really important to them.”

The paramedics visits can provide valuable feedback which helps ensure EHAAT’s Critical Care Team make sure future care for patients is as good as it can be.

On Sunday, May 12, North Weald Airfield, home to one of the EHAAT’s Airbase’s will host their annual Motorcycle Run from Welwyn and Charity Family Fun Day.

Free to attend, the day will include live music, refreshments, children’s rides and a motorcycle stunt show.

Mr Carr added: “Someone who had terrible traumatic injuries may come back and see you. Even if they’re not fully recovered, they’re still alive because of our service. It reboots why you do the job, why you dedicate your life to this.

“Knowing that my contact with previous patients, their families and loved ones has a direct impact on their recovery is one of the best things about my job.”

Mr Stone agrees that the visits can be just as important for the team, saying: “Patients always come along with their families and they want to say thank you.

“I absolutely love being able to give the families some support in their recovery phase, when they just don’t know who to turn to.”

For more details on how to support Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Team, visit: ehaat.org