Both CEGA Air Ambulance and AirMed have recently passed inspections by the independent healthcare regulator for England, the Care Quality Commission.

CEGA operates a fleet of air ambulances from Bournemouth International airport, and reports that the CQC recognised its proactive arrangements to deal with foreseeable emergencies and its pre-flight visits to individual patients and their relatives; not just to make medical assessments but also to allay personal concerns and fears.

AirMed's medical director Dr Jon Warwick is also pleased: “The team has worked extremely hard to develop a robust, high quality medical service and it is really satisfying to see everyone recognised for their input in this report,” he says.

“Not only does the report contain feedback directly from the CQC's audit, but it also contains references from our clients and our service users, the patients themselves, so to hear that they feel our service and staff to be professional and indeed, inspirational, is excellent.”