The National Children’s Air Ambulance (NCAA) is a part of the Wales Air Ambulance service.

The operation is an integral part of the charity, responding to both emergency incidents and urgent inter-hospital transfers for the children of Wales.

On average, Wales Air Ambulance airlifts 400 children a year. Most children in Wales are treated in Wales, for example at the Children’s Hospital for Wales in Cardiff; but we also convey patients to hospitals across the UK such as Alder Hey in Liverpool, Great Ormond Street in London and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Every patient is different, and Wales Air Ambulance will take each child to the specialist unit that is needed for their illness or injury.

Elain’s story

Baby Elain from Aberystwyth was airlifted from Bronglais Hospital to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff on an urgent medical transfer.

Elain was antenatally diagnosed with congenital heart disease. The extent of Elain’s illness was fully diagnosed after she was born as Pulmonary Atresia, VSD and MAPCAs and chromosome abnormality 22Q11 deletion.

Elain, along with parents Bridget and Gareth, enjoyed a short period at home, but at 12 weeks old Elain took a sudden turn for the worse and was rushed to the local hospital. Elain needed heart surgery at UHW Cardiff.

Wales Air Ambulance flew Elain directly to the hospital in Cardiff the next day, saving over two hours on difficult rural roads. With the extra seat now available in the South Wales aircraft, Bridget was able to fly with Elain, making a big difference to the new parents.  

Elain is now back at home with mum and dad, who have since set up their own fundraising campaign for all the charities that have helped them. Apêl Elain has raised over £50,000 and Bridget went on to represent Aberystwyth in the Olympic torch relay.

Nick’s story

In the summer of 2007, 12 year-old Nick was on a mountain bike adventure with his Scout group.

Bad weather and flooding had transformed the trails throughout the forest and Nick slipped on the wet ground. He hit his head on a rock and continued to fall down the trail, sustaining serious head and facial injuries.

Due to the inaccessibility of the area and Nick’s condition, Wales Air Ambulance was called.  The helicopter was able to land close to the accident and the crew treated Nick on the scene before airlifting him hospital.

Nick’s mother Gail recalls the moment she received a phone call from her husband explaining what had happened, and her journey to reach her son: “I’ll never forget the words, ‘Nick’s in hospital’. He was so far away and all the roads were flooded, making it difficult for us to get to him. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.

“It was such a relief that the air ambulance was there that day to help Nick. With the weather as bad as it was, and the extent of his injuries, knowing that paramedics could reach him and get him straight to hospital made all the difference.”

Read more stories of our missions here