A trial that will enable air ambulance medical staff to administer blood transfusions in the field was launched on Friday.

MEP Alex Mayer visited the East Anglian Air Ambulance base (EAAA) at Cambridge Airport, to learn more the RePHILL scheme, which will allow patients to receive blood before they reach hospital.

Studies have shown that receiving an early transfusion of packed red blood cells can lead to improved survival in patients with haemorrhagic shock.

The blood will be delivered to the airport daily by Suffolk and Cambridgeshire’s gang of volunteer bikers (SERV) ready for the Anglia Two helicopter to use on critical emergencies across Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. In 2017, the EAAA attended more than 2,000 incidents.

Richard Hindson, EAAA clinical operations manager, said: “This trial will determine whether this strategy is effective or not. This is an important trial, which will ensure we are giving our patients the best possible treatment on scene and the best possible chance of recovery, and that for us is at the centre of everything we do.

“We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to SERV for their phenomenal assistance with this trial and we look forward to the outcome.”

Alex Mayer added: “I’m delighted to launch this trial. It’s great that the East Anglian Air Ambulance is moving forward with this new idea to improve the outcomes for patients. I look forward to hearing how this early blood transfusion is helping local people.”