Providing a lifeline for stroke patients

The rapid accurate diagnosis of early stroke symptoms allowed SCAA to help ensure the fastest possible transfer to advanced hospital care for a patient in rural Perthshire.

The crew’s rapid response to the suspected stroke emergency saw the patient on route to Ninewells Hospital within half an hour of the call out.

The 25-minute onward flight proved an invaluable time saver, ensuring the patient reached hospital as quickly as possible.

SCAA took to the air in response to a medical emergency in Strathearn.

The crew was on scene within minutes - landing on open parkland near the patient.

After working at the scene, a SCAA paramedic then travelled with the patient in the land ambulance to Perth Royal Infirmary.

An SCAA paramedic can often act as escort to the land crew, providing an extra pair of hands for ongoing pre-hospital care and providing continuity of care for the patient.

And SCAA paramedics were first on scene at a twovehicle collision on the A9 near Blair Atholl.

Paramedics helped assess and treat four casualties involved before the two more seriously injured were transferred to hospital by road ambulance. *** Since the last SCAA column, local fundraisers and supporters have been continuing their generous stream of donations to the helicopter air ambulance charity.

Perth Branch of the Clydesdale Bank held their annual Quiz Night in support of SCAA raising £332 and Crieff Golf Club donated £150 following their fundraising drama evening.

Findynate Estate at Pitlochry continued their support for SCAA with a sweepstake shoot, raising £60. Meanwhile, members of Glenisla Golf Club teed up £100 for SCAA.

A Health and Safety Open Day at Jewson Ltd.’s Glenearn Road premises in Perth – attended by local schoolchildren - raised £346.10 for SCAA and a group of students cooked up £126.85 by holding a Hallowe’en Bake Sale.

Those enjoying a cuppa and a chat at the regular coffee mornings at Quayside Court, Tay Street, Perth, have donated £250 to SCAA, while Collace Parish Church gifted £85.61 profit from their Harvest Thanksgiving.

Thanks also to the shoppers at the House of Bruar who donated a total of £1,211.92 to SCAA volunteer collectors during the shopping complex’s recent three-day sale.

Lodge St Michael No. 38 in Crieff nominated SCAA as their Charity Of The Year and donated £1,151.

Pitlochry Station Bookshop continues to keep their regular £300 donations on track for SCAA – another recent instalment takes their support to £19,920.

Pitlochry Gallery Association has raised £280 for SCAA at their Autumn Exhibition and Strathearn Agricultural Society has ploughed £2,500 into the charity through a Trust donation.

Collecting cans from local premises being emptied at SCAA recently include those from: The Anglers Inn, Guildtown (£31.01); Brodies Mini Market, Tyndrum (£35.40); The Co-op, Bridge of Earn (£21.26); Errol Bowling Club (£111.89); the Half-A- Tanner, Perth (£152); the Horn Cafe, Errol (£42.95); Lamb & Gardiner at Inchmichael Garage (£22.47); the Pet Strore, Pitlochry (£24.61) and the Riverbank Café, Pitlochry (£45.33).

Local independent stores continue to support SCAA with the donation of their carrier bag levy. Recent donations from this income stream include those from Perth shops Revival (£17.18), Pretty Things (£82.66) and Imprimo Shoes (£38.01).

* * * Look out for SCAA’s volunteers at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, December 3, when a collection will be made for the air ambulance charity before the St Johnstone/ Inverness Caledonian match.