What it’s like to join the air ambulance crew- Louise Lamble

Louise Lamble joined Cornwall Air Ambulance as a trainee Critical Care Paramedic at the beginning of 2020. She previously worked as a paramedic with London Ambulance Service before relocating to Cornwall for her new role.

Louise shares her thoughts on what it’s like to join the air ambulance and get to grips with a new role during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Joining the air ambulance team has been great. I love working with the team and the ambulance crews to help our patients. My first flying shift was really exciting- with a few nerves too- I hadn’t really flown in a helicopter before!

“Seeing Cornwall from the sky really is amazing, it’s such a beautiful county and I’m starting to know my way around.”

As a new recruit, Louise is required to complete a MSc level qualification in Critical Care, which is run by the University of Plymouth. There is also extensive training to fly in the helicopter and Louise recently passed her Technical Crew Member (TCM) training, which allows her to sit in the cockpit to help with navigation.

“It was a big learning to curve to start, as I am new to the South West Ambulance Service as well as the Air Ambulance. Scenario training has been helpful for me to learn whilst we are on the base. I also did a week of scenario-based learning at Plymouth University as part of my Critical Care University Modules. Combining new theoretical and practical learning in the scenarios is quite hard at times, but usually enjoyable!

“Things on base are a bit different now as a result of Covid-19. I am now working as part of a two-person crew, getting practice in my role as a TCM. I usually sit alongside the pilot so that we can always have a qualified Critical Care Paramedic in the back of the helicopter with our patients. We debrief the missions afterwards, so I can learn from them and improve.”