AirMed launched its neonatal (and subsequent perinatal) service in March 2011. This is a fully integrated consultant led perinatal transfer and retrieval service which provides support to the assistance industry and specialist neonatal hospital units across the globe. This service will soon be further enhanced with the introduction of a customised 'first of its kind' fully integrated incubator system that is nitric oxide capable. This service by AirMed is fully endorsed by the UK baby charity 'Bliss' in recognition of the exceptional standard of aero-medical care, involvement of parent group in the design of the service and the 'family centred' model of care that is provided.

The Perinatal Service comprises of specialties that will provide support not only for the newborn child (neonatal), but will also enable Clients to have access to highly specialised skills required for the aeromedical transfers of pregnant women (i.e. obstetrics and fetal medicine). This is something that has only been available to clients in a fairly limited capacity before and without the direct access to the consultant teams required for this type of complex transfer. Our service will change all that, enabling direct access to the appropriately qualified medical personnel for the movement of patients with complex needs.

AirMed have invested a substantial sum of money in purchasing state-of-the-art equipment, employing consultant neonatal intensivists and providing bespoke, comprehensive aeromedical training courses for all of their medical personnel. The service provides rapid access to specialist advice on clinical safety, family support and strategic planning allowing safe transfers to be pre-planned and carried out during the ideal window of opportunity.

All of the equipment which has been designed and purchased by AirMed is fully compatible, not only on their Learjet 35A and Piper Cheyenne IIIA fleets, but also with the UK HEMS Eurocopter EC135 helicopters and road ambulances. This allows incredible flexibility and versatility when carrying out transfers either between the specialist UK hospital units or between units on a more global scale.

The system currently in use includes a Babypod II, babyPAC ventilators, Propac monitors and Braun infusion pumps in addition to the existing intensive care equipment currently operated by AirMed. The Babypod provides a warm and secure environment for the baby and protects them from the physiological disturbances arising from vibration, sound interference and thermal challenges. The medical team are able to continually monitor the baby's vital signs and can provide intravenous infusions and respiratory support if required.

AirMed's Neonatal Medical Director, Dr Charlotte Bennett is leading the service and throughout the entire transfer process, her or her colleagues will liaise directly with clients and families and advise on the best time to transfer the baby, in what aircraft and of any additional requirements.  Updates will be continually given to all concerned throughout the transfer and questions can be answered at any time.

Dr Charlotte Bennett joined the team in 2010. She is a consultant neonatologist at the renowned Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust and her experience with the Thames Valley Neonatal Transfer Service since her appointment in 2001 has provided an excellent platform from which to set up this Perinatal service. To ensure a complete service with back-up consultant provision, Dr Bennett is supported by Dr Julian Eason, a fellow consultant neonatologist who is currently Service Line Director for the neonatal department at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust. He has considerable experience of aeromedical transfers from his Canadian fellowship post with the Infant Transport Team based in Vancouver and subsquent experience in the Channel Islands. 

Further development of the service is ongoing and AirMed is planning completion of the next phase during 2012. This will lead to a further expansion in capabilities and will see the addition of a Drager incubator, a custom-built trolley and lift system and PrinterNoX inhaled nitric oxide delivery. Not only will this enable AirMed to carry out transfers of the most critically ill neonates, but the additional system will also allow twins to be transferred together.