Being part of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity means far more than responding to emergencies – it’s about delivering vital, life-saving care at the exact moment it’s needed. As a pre-hospital emergency medical consultant, Dr Jon Bingham provides advanced treatment directly at the scene, helping to stabilise patients during some of their most critical and vulnerable moments.

Jon has been part of the charity since 2010 – an impressive 16 years of service, though he admits it “doesn’t feel that long.” His career before joining Midlands Air Ambulance Charity saw him working across a variety of hospitals in the Midlands and he continues his work today with University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM). He also volunteered as a doctor with the CARE Team in Birmingham, gaining valuable frontline experience that would shape his future in pre-hospital medicine.

In his current role, Jon operates outside the traditional hospital environment, delivering advanced care in unpredictable and often high-pressure situations. From serious trauma incidents to medical emergencies, his work ensures patients receive life-saving treatment without delay.

Jon explains: “I’m a prehospital emergency medical consultant so essentially a consultant who works out of hospital to treat patients with hospital level care at the place in which they are ill or get injured. This means their treatment doesn’t have to wait until an ambulance gets them to a hospital, but it also means that we can stabilise patients when they are at their most vulnerable and unstable.”

Wearing the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity uniform is something Jon takes great pride in. For him, it represents not only the responsibility of the role but also the values of the organisation and the trust placed in it by the public.

He says: “It’s not just about the job, or the helicopter. It’s being able to make a difference at a time when the patient most needs it.”

Over the years, Jon has witnessed significant developments within the charity. Advances in aircraft have improved speed, comfort and operational capability, while ongoing investment in medical equipment, drugs and techniques has enabled the team to deliver increasingly sophisticated care at the scene. Despite these changes, one thing has remained constant – the strength of the team.

Jon adds: “The thing that hasn’t changed is the commitment and camaraderie of the crew working together, although some of us are getting a little older now.”

The nature of Jon’s work means regularly encountering people at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. While it can be challenging, these experiences have shaped his perspective both professionally and personally.

Jon says: “Seeing and helping people at what is often the worst moment of their life not only teaches you to be humble but reminds you to enjoy your life and what you have.”

Outside of his role, Jon values time with his family and his dog, often heading to the Peak District for walks with his children. He also takes part in park runs to maintain the fitness required for such a physically demanding role.

Switching off is an essential part of sustaining a career in pre-hospital care, and for Jon, staying active and spending time with loved ones provides that balance.

He adds: “It’s great to be part of something so important and worthwhile but with this comes a need to be able to switch off. Exercise and fun with the family is a great way of moving from a prehospital doctor faced with difficult cases to enjoying life away from that stress.”

It’s the combination of clinical challenge, teamwork and a strong sense of purpose that has kept Jon committed for over a decade. Being part of a team trusted by the public is something he values deeply, and it’s that responsibility, alongside the chance to make a real difference, that motivates him every time he goes to work.

It’s being able to make a difference at a time when the patient most needs it