Help for Heroes Funds RAF Aeromed Scheme to Improve Conditions for Casualties

Help for Heroes has provided a grant for the RAF Aeromed Scheme, designed and developed by Flight Lieutenant Martin Bradley. The Aeromed Comfort Enhanced Pack will be given to wounded Service Personnel being airlifted back to the UK for medical treatment.

Martin, who deployed in April to Camp Bastian for his first tour in Afghanistan as the Aeromedical Evacuations Officer, joined the RAF as a Medical Support Officer 3 years ago. Having observed patients on Aeromed flights and following his own personal experience of long haul flights he decided that he wanted to do something to improve conditions for injured service personnel:

"Given that patients in the Aeromed system have already undergone a traumatic experience, every effort to make the journey home less fatiguing and more comfortable for the patient is gratefully received. Much of my inspiration came from my personal experience of long haul flights where civilian airlines make every effort to improve a passenger’s experience. Aeromed patients, who may be uncomfortable as a direct result of injuries sustained on Operations or Exercises can only be transported as comfortably as possible on the airframes available. The Aeromed Comfort Enhancement Pack has been designed to raise patient moral by making them more comfortable and by keeping them entertained."

The RAF Aeromed Service escorts more than 3,000 wounded or injured Service personnel a year from all corners of the globe to the most appropriate medical facility for their clinical need. Often, flights are long haul and on Service Air Transport aircraft where comfort is secondary to task capability.

"Deciding what should be in the Aeromed Comfort Enhancement Packs came down to reviewing similar ‘amenities’ packs provided by civilian airlines. A common list of items was easily constructed, with additional items being added when considering the airframes on which Aeromed patients are transported. The RAF’s main transport aircraft, the Tri-Star and VC-10, do not have for example ‘a seat back entertainment system’. As such, I looked at the loan of capital equipment to deliver a similar capability. As this is not integrated into the aircraft, any solution had to be battery powered and should allow individual patients control over what they watched or played. Further, for those patients who are moved strategically on Hercules or the C-17, temperature regulation of the hold can be an issue, and as such the Help for Heroes ‘hoodie’ was included."

Having gained approval and support from the Officer Commanding Aeromedical Squadron at Head Quarters Tactical Medical Wing, RAF Lyneham, Martin looked at ways to source funding for the manufacturing of the packs:

"In the current economic climate it was clear that sustained Service funding was unlikely to be forthcoming and so searching for an enduring funding stream was central to transforming the idea into reality. With the intent of the Aeromed Comfort Enhancement Pack being to help wounded Service personnel, Help for Heroes were an obvious charity to approach to see if they would be prepared to fund the initiative. Help for Heroes seek to provide ‘Practical, Direct Support for our Wounded’ and saw this as an extension forward of the care and service they already provide. As such they were very enthusiastic and have exceeded all expectations in the speed and quality of delivery."

Bryn Parry OBE, CEO & co-founder of Help for Heroes said: "Help for Heroes are delighted to be working with the RAF on the Aeromed Packs. It’s a fantastic initiative and something that is very much needed as it can sometimes take several days for the belongings of those wounded to be reunited with them. We realise that at the time when our boys and girls get on the plane they are probably in pain and discomfort but we know that with these packs we will be able to provide everyday items we would normally take for granted. Often it is these small things that make a huge difference and we are thrilled to be involved in this initiative to help improve conditions for our wounded."

Help For Heroes agreed to support this scheme by providing funding for 2 aspects: The Individual Aeromed Comfort Enhancement Packs given to every escorted patient which includes a Help For Heroes hoodie, a pre-loaded MP3 player, eyeshades, ear plugs, toiletries and a travel pillow, as well as a copy of Heroes magazine, and information about the Defence Medical Services and the Aeromed Service in particular.

The second element is the provision of centrally held loan items such as magazines subscriptions and PlayStations with a number of films and game titles which the Aeromed team will loan to patients for the duration of the flight as they are too costly to issue to every Aeromed patient.

The roll-out of the packs began in February and now all Aeromed patients categorised as requiring an escort, regardless of Service, injuries sustained, or whether the injuries were sustained whilst on Operations or Exercise will receive the Aeromed Comfort Enhancement Pack and have access to some form of entertainment during their flight regardless of whether they are on a Service or civilian aircraft.

We would like to say a huge thanks to DCS Europe who have very kindly provided many of the goodies in the Aeromed bags www.dcseurope.com.

We would also like to thank LOVEFILM who donated a selection of films to be included in the bag.

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