Airmed World Congress 2011 was a four-day scientific international conference and exhibition for pre-hospital care clinicians and aviation-based medical services. More than 600 delegates from 30 countries including Australia, Japan and the US attended the congress at the Brighton Centre in Sussex.

It was the culmination for a massive three-year project led by the life-saving Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust. Chief Executive Adrian Bell said: "We consider ourselves to be very honoured in hosting this Congress in the UK for the first time. "We have very much enjoyed our part in organising a Congress which I hope offered delegates all and more than they expected."

Exhibits in the main hall of the Brighton Centre, usually reserved for pop concerts and the Labour Party conference, included a Eurocopter and an Agusta Westland helicopter.

The scientific programme included subjects such as trauma and airway management, medicine and flight operations. The self-funding conference was hosted in conjunction with the European Helicopter Emergency Service and Air Ambulance Committee (EHAC).

An aviation day was held on Friday at the Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance base at Dunsfold Park with displays from a Spitfire, the Breitling Wingwalkers, Red Hawks and RAF Griffin.

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance carries a specialist doctor and Critical Care Paramedic on board who can carry out advanced medical procedures, giving patients the best chance and quality of survival. The charity relies almost entirely on public donations and receives no National Lottery funding. If you would like to make a donation to the Air Ambulance please call 01622 833833.