CEGA Air Ambulance which assists clients in the maritime industry, oil and gas sector, has become one of the first international fixed wing providers to be fully accredited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England.
CEGA, which operates a fleet of air ambulances from Bournemouth International Airport in the UK, underwent a rigorous inspection of all aspects of its service to gain the accreditation; from its cleanliness and infection control, to the quality of its critical care provision and the welfare of those who use it. All are meeting essential national standards of quality and safety, according to the CQC.
Among CEGA’s practices to be recognised by the CQC were 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.
“This endorsement is testament to CEGA’s expertise in the air ambulance sector, built up over 40 years’ service in the industry,” says Jackie Gillard, Services Manager of CEGA Air Ambulance.
“The relevance of the Care Quality Commission is recognised by all our clients in the National Health Service (NHS) and beyond and the essential standards of quality and safety are seen as central to our work in transporting sick and injured patients.”
