Midland Air Ambulance praised by healthcare regulator for ‘outstanding’ response

The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, part of a network of 21 air ambulance charities across the UK, has been a lifeline for critical care during some of Gloucestershire’s most shocking incidents.

The charity’s high standard of response to emergencies across six counties was recognized at the highest level in 2024, with two of its sites receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC, the government-appointed independent regulator for health and social care in England, will be located at the charity’s headquarters and air force base in Cosford, Shropshire, and Tatenhill, Staffordshire, in August and September 2023. Inspected the air base.

The commission said in a report published in January that both services were judged to be “outstanding” overall. It also received top ratings for safety, responsiveness, effectiveness, and appropriate instruction.

A review of RAF Strensham, located just over the county border in south Worcestershire, is currently under review.

Hannah Sebright, CEO of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are extremely proud of the ‘outstanding’ CQC rating for Cosford and Tatenhill, which we achieved just 19 months after our first CQC registration.”

“This impressive achievement underscores our commitment to treating patients in the communities we serve and providing the best pre-hospital care to patients in urgent need.”

With the aim of responding to calls by air or road within 10 minutes, the charity works with emergency services in areas around Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands. We are protecting the lives of 6 million people.

The charity, known for its bright red helicopters, is one of two air ambulance charities serving the county. Great Western Air Ambulance is another of his emergency response agencies and is known for its green and blue helicopters.

With three air ambulances operating from the base alongside a convoy of lifesaving ambulances and all paramedics on board, the charity is well equipped to reach every corner of the region in an emergency. I am.

Maintaining the three aircraft and providing life-saving services costs between £13 million and £14 million each year.

The charity receives no government or National Lottery funding for its day-to-day operations and relies entirely on donations from the public and businesses to continue its vital services.

For more information and to find out what you can do to support the charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com/gloucestershire.