Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust rated outstanding by the CQC

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT), which provides emergency care to critically ill and injured patients in Essex, Hertfordshire, and the surrounding areas, was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August and September and was rated outstanding overall.

The CQC found that the trust delivered an outstanding service that was saving lives across the region. Not only was it rated outstanding overall, but it received this rating for individual aspects, such as being safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs, and well led.

Zoe Robinson, CQC Head of Hospital Inspection, said: “We were very impressed to find such outstanding levels of care being provided by Essex & Herts Air Ambulance.

“The level of teamwork at the service was exemplary and staff and managers worked together and supported one another to deliver the best possible outcomes for people. Patients were valued and respected and their individual needs and preferences were always considered. Feedback from those using the service and their loved ones was overwhelmingly positive and people told us that staff went the extra mile for them and exceeded their expectations.”

In response to the rating from the CQC, EHAAT CEO Jane Gurney said: “I am so delighted with this result especially as the inspections found numerous examples of outstanding practice throughout the organization.

“I would like to personally thank each team member across the entire charity, whatever their role, all of whom work so hard every day to uphold these high standards. I would like to also take this opportunity to thank our communities for supporting their local life-saving service, making it possible for us to remain operational and to keep saving lives in Essex, Hertfordshire, and surrounding areas”

Ben Myer, Head of Clinical Delivery at EHAAT, is also extremely proud of the CQC rating recognising everyone who helps the charity’s life-saving work, but he explains that EHAAT will continue to enhance the quality of service it provides. “As ever, the hard work doesn’t stop here. We will continue to strive for excellence for the patients and communities we care for, building on this result and maintaining our service, as an outstanding organization with a national and international reputation for excellence,” he said.

The importance of air ambulances in the UK was recently highlighted during Air Ambulance Week.