THE air ambulance which serves Buckinghamshire has been rated 'Outstanding' following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Thames Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) is based in Stokenchurch and has received the accolade just over a year after it became an independent healthcare provider.

The service primarily serves the communities of the Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire.

Inspectors rated the service as Outstanding for being 'safe, caring and well-led' and Good for being 'effective and responsive to people’s needs'.

The great news comes as TVAA increased the number of emergency dispatches by 110 per cent in a year.

Alongside checking facilities and reviewing documentation, CQC representatives spoke with a range of staff and people who have been cared for and benefited from the charity’s service, as part of their inspection.

The patients interviewed said that Thames Valley Air Ambulance’s staff treated them and their families with "compassion and kindness" and "respected their dignity and privacy".

They also commented how Thames Valley Air Ambulance went "above and beyond expectations" to meet their needs and wishes.

Catherine Campbell, head of hospital inspection for the South East, said: “Thames Valley Air Ambulance are providing an exceptional service.

"The service is using innovative ways to ensure that people get the attention they need, in the right place and at the right time."

The report added: "There was a strong culture of openness, honesty and learning and there was evidence of sharing practice with others, and an ethos for embracing constant opportunity for learning and improving.

"Credit must go to the hard work and commitment of the staff and leadership team. We will continue to monitor the trust’s performance and will return to hopefully report on further improvements in due course.”

The inspection was in January.

Commenting on the results, Thames Valley Air Ambulance Chief Executive, Amanda McLean said: “I am delighted with the CQC report and incredibly proud of the fabulous team that delivers this vital service across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

"Patient care and safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re delighted that the CQC recognises this. We will continue to develop our service through innovative technology and research to further enhance the care we are able to provide.

“The result of this CQC report would not be possible without the amazing fundraisers, volunteers and members of the public who support us every day. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the communities that we serve and now as the UK enters its most serious healthcare crisis for generations, we want to thank every person and organisation that is raising donations for us.

"As we move forward, they will be needed more than ever, and we are committed to finding new ways to raise money and ensuring that every penny spent enhances the critically important service we provide."

Less than five per cent or one in 20 (1,567 of 32,506) of the registered health and social care services are currently rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC.

To find out more or to support the work of Thames Valley Air Ambulance, visit www.tvairambulance.org.uk or call 0300 999 0135.