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Critically ill and injured patients on the Isle of Wight are being given the best chance of survival and recovery thanks to an innovative collaboration between Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) and the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IOWAS) to deliver advanced critical care training to island-based paramedics.
The initiative, which formally launched in September 2024, enables selected Isle of Wight paramedics to join the air ambulance team on secondment, working alongside experienced critical care doctors and paramedics. During this time, they gain hands-on experience in high-level clinical procedures, decision-making under pressure and advanced trauma care.
Paramedic Isabel (Izzy) Horne, who recently completed her six-month secondment with HIOWAA, has now returned to her role on the Isle of Wight as a fully signed-off Critical Care Paramedic, applying her advanced training and experience to those patients most in need.
“This secondment gave me the opportunity to work across a larger geographical area and learn from a wide variety of incidents and highly skilled clinicians. I’ve gained vital skills in advanced analgesia, sedation, surgical procedures and cardiac arrest care – skills that will help give the most critically ill or injured patients the best chance of survival.
“Now, even when the helicopter is offline due to weather or is responding elsewhere, my Critical Care Paramedic colleagues and I can provide a similar level of advanced care on the ground – 20 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Isabel Horne, Paramedic.
The training programme includes immersive clinical placements, advanced simulation training and postgraduate education at St George’s University, London. Paramedics also gain anaesthetic experience at University Hospital Southampton, further strengthening their capabilities in managing complex emergencies.
“We are proud to be partnering with the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service to ensure that island residents receive the very best care, precisely when they need it. Through this partnership, we’re already seeing faster response times, better coordination and, most importantly, improved outcomes for patients.”
Nick Gray, Paramedic Clinical Lead, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
Approximately 10% of HIOWAA’s missions each year are to the Isle of Wight – 176 in 2024 alone. By training and empowering local paramedics with advanced capabilities, the new programme ensures that islanders continue to receive hospital-level care at the roadside or in their homes.
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