Air Ambulance Rated Outstanding By Care Quality Commission

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has been rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission following its first-ever inspection.

The service, which is run by University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, provides emergency air ambulance and critical care response across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and also supports other air ambulance teams across the south.

Inspectors visited the service in October as part of the CQC’s ongoing checks on the safety and quality of healthcare services.

Following the inspection, the air ambulance was rated outstanding overall, as well as in every individual category — including safety, effectiveness, responsiveness, caring and leadership.

The CQC says patients were receiving high-quality, person-centred care, with safety described as a clear priority for everyone involved.

Inspectors found the service was well staffed, with highly trained and experienced teams who were able to respond quickly to emergencies and manage risks without delay.

Families told inspectors that staff actions had helped save lives, while others described the care provided as “gold standard”.

People and their relatives were overwhelmingly positive about their experiences, with staff praised for their kindness, reassurance and respect during highly distressing situations.

The report also highlights a strong culture of learning and improvement, with every incident reviewed so good practice could be shared and any issues addressed.

One example saw paramedics trained to carry out advanced procedures previously limited to doctors, allowing more patients to receive critical care sooner.

Inspectors also noted strong working relationships with NHS ambulance services, effective handovers, and an open-door leadership approach that encouraged staff to raise concerns.

The Care Quality Commission says everyone involved in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight

Air Ambulance should be proud of the findings.

The full inspection report will be published on the CQC website in the coming days.