Norfolk House Builder Steps Forward To Fund Pioneering Air Ambulance Brain Injury Study

Norfolk-based house builder Abel Homes has stepped forward to fund a ground-breaking study by the East Anglian Air Ambulance to improve the diagnosis of brain injuries at accident scenes.

The pioneering research, which is being run in association with Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, is trialling a new device which can detect bleeding in the brain using a minimally invasive blood test.

If successful, the 12 month trial could enhance the decision-making process for paramedics and air ambulance crews, ensuring that patients are taken directly to specialist trauma centres if necessary.

Abel Homes, which is a longstanding supporter of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, is funding the £11,000 cost of the specialist equipment which detects biomarkers in the blood and can provide diagnostic results in minutes.

“Any of us could find ourselves in need of the Air Ambulance at any time, and their amazing work has saved many lives since it was founded in 2000,” said Maggie Abel, a director at Abel Homes.

“This vital service relies almost entirely on public donations, and we are proud to have been supporters of the charity over many years.

“When we heard about this exciting new study, we were enthusiastic to provide financial support to enable it to happen.”

Dr James Price, an emergency medicine consultant at Addenbrooke’s and honorary consultant with the EAA research department, who is leading the study, said, “We know that patients with serious traumatic brain injuries have better outcomes if they are transported directly to specialist hospitals.

“Testing biomarkers pre-hospital, at the scene of an accident, may support earlier diagnosis, treatment and care for many critically unwell patients with intercranial haemorrhage – more commonly known as bleeding in the brain.

“This project will enable our crews to use this new blood test super early in the process.  This, along with a rapid transfer to the most appropriate hospital, could help to improve outcomes for patients and ultimately save more lives.”

The East Anglian Air Ambulance relies almost entirely on donations to operate.  Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at www.eaaa.org.uk.