Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance Nottingham Base

Updated 3 November 2023

Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance, Nottingham Base is a service which provides helicopter and rapid response vehicle emergency medical and critical care services to the communities of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) are provided from the Nottingham base 10hrs per day by helicopter, and 14hrs per day by Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV). Flying hours increase during April to August to take advantage of British Summer Time daylight saving hours.

A HEMS team comprises of 2 prehospital trained clinicians (prehospital doctor and a critical care paramedic or 2 critical care paramedics) and a pilot (days only). Shifts are typically 12hours, and cover is provided 24hours a day, 365 days a year.

Between January and March 2023, the service responded to 828 incidents and cared for 439 patients. Of these, 116 were in medical cardiac arrest and a further 95 had been involved in a road traffic collision. The service stabilised and treated the patients before transferring them to one of 8 major trauma centres frequently used across the region.

The service was provided to both adults and children.

This location had not previously been inspected. A registered manager has been in post within the service since July 2011 and the service is registered to undertake the following regulated activities:

• Diagnostic and screening procedures
• Surgical procedures
• Transport services, triage and medical advice provided remotely

Treatment of disease, disorder or injury

Updated 3 November 2023

This service had not been rated before. We rated it as outstanding because:

• People were protected by a strong comprehensive safety system, and a focus on openness, transparency and learning when things went wrong.
• Staff provided good care and treatment and gave patients pain relief when they needed it. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information.
• People were truly respected and valued as individuals and were empowered as partners in their care, practically and emotionally both at the time of the incident and in its aftermath. Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided exceptional emotional support to patients, families and carers.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait too long for treatment.
• The leadership, governance and culture were used to drive and improve the delivery of high-quality person-centred care. Governance arrangements proactively reviewed and reflect best practice. There was a fully embedded and systematic approach to improvement.

Updated 3 November 2023

The service had not been rated before. We rated it as outstanding.

See the overall summary for details