Embrace reaches new heights with 600 flights

Embrace has soared to a new milestone reaching 600 helicopter and fixed wing flights, transporting babies, children and young people.  

Embrace, hosted by Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, is a highly specialist, round-the-clock transport service for critically ill neonates and children in Yorkshire and the Humber. The 600th flight is a fantastic milestone in Sheffield Children’s 150th anniversary year of caring for and creating healthier futures for children and young people across the region.

Each year the specialist teams of nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, doctors and drivers, supported by a dedicated administration team, transfer around 2,000 neonates and children by road ambulances, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Patients require flight transfer either for emergency treatment in a distant hospital or for repatriation to a hospital closer to home after specialist treatment. Some of the longest transfers are after patients have become critically ill or been born prematurely while their families are away from home. 

Lots of parents and carers have experienced Embrace’s compassionate care when their child has been transported: “Not only did the transport team look after my daughter but they supported me, gave me emergency supplies and lots of emotional support, I can’t thank the team enough for their amazing work.” 

Nearly 400 of Embrace’s helicopter flights have been made possible by the National Children’s Air Ambulance (NCAA) – the first and only dedicated children’s air ambulance service in the country, which is charity-funded.

The 600th flight took place with the NCAA  – The Embrace team travelled to transport a neonatal patient from Oldham Hospital in Manchester to Hull Royal Infirmary using the NCAA flight incubator. The journey – which would usually take over an hour and a half – took only 30 minutes.

Elle Jordan, Embrace Consultant and Embrace Senior Responsible Officer for NCAA, said: “Reaching 600 flights is a remarkable milestone.  At Embrace, we are proud of our aeromedical work and partnership with NCAA, ensuring excellent patient care and experience.  Being able to transport patients quickly by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft means we can get children to the specialist care they need sooner or safely return them closer to home when they’re well enough. These transfers can make a real difference, particularly over long distances or when time is critical.” 

Embrace is the only critical care transport team in the UK to be fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems – Global (CAMTS-Global).  CAMTS-Global is a Swiss-based organisation dedicated to improving the quality of patient care and safety of the transport environment.  Embrace have active aeromedical partnerships with YAA (Yorkshire Air Ambulance), IAS Medical (fixed wing air ambulance), SAR (HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter).