By: 1 May 2019
Air Ambulance appoints anaesthesia expert to its Board

An international expert in intensive care and the battle to reduce deaths from Sepsis has joined the Board of Trustees at Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex, the life-saving time critical emergency care charity.

Professor Andrew Rhodes is a member of the Executive Committee of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and Professor of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London.

The air ambulance operates 24/7 and serves the 4.7m residents of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, as well as the huge number of people that travel through the area on business or pleasure each year.

Commenting on his appointment to the Board of Trustees, Professor Andrew Rhodes said: “Air ambulances are an integral part of the emergency care community. I’ve seen first-hand how their speed of response and the expertise of the on-board doctors and paramedics have made a very positive impact on outcomes for patients, most of whom are in seriously life-threatening conditions.

“I’m delighted to play a small part in helping the team at AAKSS improve patient procedures still further, and to advise the Board on potential developments such as on-board anaesthetics.”

Dr Helen Bowcock, Chair of Air Ambulance Kent Surrey Sussex, added: “We conducted an open competitive process to recruit a Trustee with relevant medical expertise and are delighted that Andy applied and has accepted our invitation to join our Board. In our mission to deliver the best possible patient outcomes we very much value his clinical experience as a Professor of Anaesthetics as well as his international reputation in research and in clinical governance.

“As we continue to innovate, to deliver outstanding patient care and to increase our investment in research he will provide particularly valuable oversight and guidance as a Trustee.”

In addition to his work for St George’s, Professor Rhodes is also a Senator and past President of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine.

Image: (L to R) First Officer Graham Robinson, Dr Magnus Nelson, Andrew Rhodes, Paramedic Caroline Rose, Captain Blaine Ashurst