'Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance saved my baby daughter's life'

A mum from Aberdeenshire has told how Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) saved her baby daughter’s life as the charity unveiled its most advanced helicopter yet.

Katrina Wood’s little girl Cora was just one-year-old when she suffered a seizure at their home near New Deer last year.

“I’m here today because Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance saved my little girl’s life,” Katrina told STV News.

“Our little one, Cora, unfortunately took a seizure at home last year and we phoned 999.

“Where we lived was 45 minutes away from Aberdeen and the road ambulance was going to take half an hour to get to us, but thankfully for us, they managed to send the air ambulance to us, and they arrived within 15 minutes to our house and managed to give her the lifesaving medication she needed.”

Doctors later told the family that every second counted.

Katrina added: “When we had our doctor’s appointment, they told us that after 20 minutes she could have catastrophic or permanent brain damage, and if they (seizures) lasted for 30 minutes, the chances of her waking up were pretty low.

“We were very time-critical.

“The air ambulance got to us in 15 minutes, whereas the road ambulance took 28 minutes, and in our reality, that would’ve meant she suffered brain damage, and she wouldn’t be the little girl we have today.”

Katrina said her family will always be grateful.

“It’s so exciting to see this helicopter, I mean, they (SCAA) literally keep families together, nobody expects to need the air ambulance, but they need to be there to help any child or any family.

“Our world would’ve been incredibly different without them.”

New helicopter hailed as a ‘game changer’

SCAA has now unveiled a new state-of-the-art Airbus H145 D3 helicopter – the most advanced air ambulance of its kind in the UK.

The charity says it will expand its reach and save more lives across Scotland.

“This new helicopter offers greater range, endurance and capacity, which significantly enhances our life-saving service and our ability to meet the ever-growing demand on pre-hospital emergency response teams,” said SCAA chief executive David Craig.

The charity operates two helicopters – one based in Aberdeen and one in Perth.

The Aberdeen aircraft also supports doctor-led ScotSTAR North EMRS, providing specialist teams and paramedics to some of Scotland’s most critical emergencies.

“Our enhanced and more capable aircraft will ensure that, when critical care is required anywhere in Scotland, we can provide a team of specialist doctors and two SCAA paramedics to the scene of an emergency,” Mr Craig added.

‘Major advance’ in emergency care

Dr Donna Paterson, clinical lead for the North of Scotland Trauma Network, welcomed the addition of the new helicopter.

“Prompt medical assessment and treatment are essential for both trauma and medical emergencies,” she said.

“Rapid response by experts and swift patient transfer to definitive care significantly improve survival rates and long-term recovery prospects.

This new aircraft is larger, with increased fuel capacity allowing longer flights, additional space for patient stabilisation, and accommodation for both SCAA paramedics when emergency retrieval teams collaborate with SCAA crews.

Night vision imaging systems will further enhance operational capability, especially during winter.

Mr Craig said: “Our new one-of-a-kind helicopter air ambulance is now here and will soon take to the skies in response to the most severe trauma and illness anywhere in the country.

“But the need for the funds that fuel these life-saving flights goes on.”