Capital Air Ambulance, based at Exeter International airport in the UK has undergone a successful inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a regulatory body that ensures healthcare organisations meet legal standards of quality and safety. Malcolm Humphries, Capital's ceo and chief pilot says: “The CQC announced a 'no-notice' routine inspection visit in February which proved to be thorough. It has allowed us to demonstrate that our services are of the highest quality in terms of patient care, holistic management, safety and quality control.

“It also focused on the ways our flight medical crew are recruited, trained, mentored and supported.”

Humphries adds that despite the CQC being a regulator specific to English healthcare systems, passing the inspection is an indicator of quality that can be recognised worldwide. “As we approach the second anniversary of our launch, we are heading towards 750 missions flown, and more than 70 doctors and nurses have been through our four-day training programme,” he says.

“No two patients, no two missions, and no two days are the same. Our team at Capital can hold their heads up high. On a daily basis, they show professionalism, compassion, ingenuity and innovation, topped with a 'can do' attitude.”