A long-standing partnership between Yorkshire Air Ambulance and B. Braun is helping bring advanced emergency care directly to patients across the region, after advanced thoracotomy trays funded by the company were used in multiple critical incidents earlier this year.
The equipment was first used less than two weeks after entering operational service following a stabbing incident in West Yorkshire. The medical team involved in the incident stated it was unlikely the patient would have reached hospital alive without the intervention carried out at scene.
Thoracotomy procedures are considered among the most advanced emergency interventions performed by Yorkshire Air Ambulance doctors and are only carried out in the most serious and time-critical trauma cases. Patient survival is closely linked to how quickly the procedure can be carried out, making immediate access to specialist equipment at scene vital.
The thoracotomy trays allow Yorkshire Air Ambulance doctors to carry out highly specialist pre-hospital interventions for patients suffering catastrophic traumatic injuries, including serious penetrating chest injuries. The trays contain specialist surgical equipment, including rib spreaders that significantly improve visibility and access during procedures, while also improving safety for the medical teams carrying them out.
The thoracotomy trays were fully funded by B. Braun as part of the company’s long-standing support of the Charity, which spans more than two decades.
Dr Stuart Reid, Medical Director at Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: “These procedures are only carried out in the most serious and time-critical circumstances, where having immediate access to the right equipment at scene can make a vital difference to patient care. The introduction of these trays means our teams are able to deliver an even higher level of critical care before patients reach hospital. As we continue expanding our doctor team, having more doctors on board our aircraft allows us to deliver more advanced interventions directly at scene and further enhance the level of emergency care available to patients across Yorkshire. We are incredibly grateful to B. Braun for supporting the continued development of our clinical capability across the region.”
B. Braun has supported Yorkshire Air Ambulance since 2003 and has contributed more than £220,000 to the Charity through a combination of sponsorship, fundraising and gift-in-kind support.
Over the years, the partnership has included helicopter sponsorship, flight helmets for aircrew, sponsorship of one of the Charity’s Medical Equipment Units since 2020, support for South Yorkshire fundraising vehicles, sponsorship of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s CPR awareness video campaign in 2024 and sponsorship of the Charity’s Heli Hop schools initiative in 2025. B. Braun is also a member of Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Power by the Hour business membership programme.
Craig Cannings, Managing Director at B. Braun UK, said: “At B. Braun, improving patient care is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to have supported Yorkshire Air Ambulance for more than two decades. Over the years, we have seen first-hand the incredible work carried out by the Charity’s crews across Yorkshire, often in the most challenging and time-critical situations. Funding the thoracotomy trays is another important step in our long-standing partnership and we are so proud of the amazing work that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance is able to provide to patients across the region.”
As an independent Charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies entirely on the generosity of the public and its partners to continue delivering lifesaving emergency care across the region. To find out more about how your business can support Yorkshire Air Ambulance through a corporate partnership, please click here.