New data from London's Air Ambulance Charity has revealed the busiest parts of London and the most common reasons for emergency callouts.

The charity was called out to 1,977 patients last year, with Westminster as the busiest London borough with 113 callouts.

Lambeth had 111 callouts and Tower Hamlets had the third highest number with 103 in 2022.

Surrey Comet: A map showing all of the callouts London Air Ambulance received in 2022A map showing all of the callouts London Air Ambulance received in 2022 (Image: London Air Ambulance)

Further data revealed that of those patients 34 per cent needed pre-hospital care at the scene due to penetrating trauma, 25 per cent due to road traffic collisions and 22 per cent had suffered a fall from height.

The data was released as part of London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s Up Against Time fundraising appeal.

The charity is working to raise £15 million by 2024 to replace its helicopter fleet as its current helicopters have become ‘increasingly difficult” to maintain.


Newsquest London appeal

London Air Ambulance medics perform life-saving treatment for patients who are critically injured with life-threatening or life-changing injuries. But the charity is up against time to replace its fleet of helicopters by next year and needs your support. Click here to donate to the appeal.


The data has been released as part of London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s fundraising appeal, Up Against Time, for which Newsquest London was announced last week as the media partner.

The charity must raise £15 million by 2024 to replace its helicopter fleet, as the current helicopters become increasingly difficult to maintain.    

London’s Air Ambulance is London’s only helicopter emergency service and provides critical treatment at the scene for patients with life-threatening or life-changing injuries.

The charity's paramedics provide complex care to patients at the scene for those who would not have time to arrive at an A&E to receive the same level of care.

They carry out life-saving procedures such as open chest surgery, blood transfusions, putting patients into an induced coma and reinflating collapsed lungs – anywhere in London, 24 hours a day. 

A recent poll revealed that only 38 per cent of Londoners are aware that London’s Air Ambulance is mainly funded through public donations.

The reality is that as a charity, London’s Air Ambulance relies on 89% of its funding from public donations to be able to save London’s most critically injured.

Captain Neil Jeffers, chief pilot for London's Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Last year we participated in more missions than ever before, attending to patients in every single part of London and confronting nearly every manner of traumatic injury. 

"When we’re up against time, our helicopter fleet is the single most vital tool we have for getting to our patients when they need us most, wherever they are in London. 

"Now we’re up against time in a new way, as we look to replace our helicopter fleet by autumn 2024.  

"Whilst I’m lucky enough to fly the helicopters, this mission data shows that in truth our helicopters are something for every single person who lives, visits and works in London.  

"That’s why we’re asking Londoners to join together and help us fund the new fleet – they have never been more needed."