7 Aug 2024
Thank you, Dr Drew
Dr Drew Welch is taking a short break from his role as Helicopter Emergency Medicine (HEMS) Consultant with EAAA. As he takes a secondment to an exciting new role as Deputy Medical Director with the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) for the next twelve months, we’re acknowledging the valuable contribution he has made to the charity since he first joined EAAA in 2015.
Drew has primarily been part of the Anglia Two (Cambridge) crew but has also covered shifts on Anglia One (Norwich). His area of interest is “doing the basics well and making that the care and treatment delivered to a patient in the pre-hospital phase is beneficial, safe and meaningful.”
During his time at EAAA, Drew has been a member of Consultant Advisory Group. His contributions have supported EAAA’s Medical Director in EAAA’s clinical delivery and development. He has also been a key member of EAAA’s consultant on-call group. This group supports the on-shift crew when they are faced with challenging situations or decisions on-scene.
Drew was inspired to become a HEMS doctor back in the 1990s when he used to watch a BBC1 programme called ‘999’ presented by Michael Buerk: “They did a fly-on-the-wall documentary feature on the London’s Air Ambulance – and I always thought it would be a great job to do!” He says.
He undertook Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine training in 2015-16. After finishing anaesthetics training in 2017, Drew completed a further 18 months full time as a Senior Clinical Fellow at EAAA followed by eight months at Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. More recently, he has combined his role at EAAA as a HEMS Consultant at EAAA with a Consultant Anaesthetist post at West Suffolk Hospital.
Additionally, Drew has solely developed the Regional Anaesthesia Programme. This programme champions the use of local anaesthesia, in appropriate circumstances, for injuries such as broken hips to reduce the pain for the patient, rather than a stronger painkiller, such as morphine.
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I believe it is what we do on a personal level that has the most benefit to our patients. Speaking to patients and their relatives who have needed the team is by far the most powerful motivator. I am deeply grateful to those who help the charity by raising funds, because I see the benefit first hand.
— Dr Drew
“My favourite part my role at EAAA has been helping to turn chaos into calm and making someone’s worst day a little less traumatic by kindness and reassurance, while providing prompt and effective treatment.” Drew adds.
“I believe it is what we do on a personal level that has the most benefit to our patients. Speaking to patients and their relatives who have needed the team is by far the most powerful motivator. I am deeply grateful to those who help the charity by raising funds – because I see the benefit first hand.”
EAAA Medical Director, Dr Victor, says:
“At East Anglian Air Ambulance, we are so appreciative of Drew’s expertise and the development of the charity. His impact has been immense. Initiatives, such as the Regional Anaesthesia Programme, will be a proud legacy for him.
“Drew’s commitment to improving patient outcomes will remain a focus; we are certainly looking forward to working in collaboration with him in his role at EEAST and wish him every success.”
Thank you, Drew, for your contribution to East Anglian Air Ambulance, and for your unwavering commitment to pre-hospital emergency care, which has kept many families together. We wish you all the best with your secondment.