ESSEX Air Ambulance is a step closer to delivering a radical change in the health and care sector. 

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, which has a base at Earls Colne, has announced the creation of a Centre for Excellence, which will focus on education and research. 

The centre will focus on its four pillars which are research and scholarship, innovation, education and training and community.

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It will support three overarching clinical domains and targeted areas of focus like cardiac arrest, head injury and patient experience and outcomes.

Dr Gareth Grier, project leader for the centre, said: "We are proud of the history of our service, especially the major achievements that have been delivered over the years.

"With a vision that is bold, innovative and sits at the heart of our community, together with this new and ambitious structure, our Centre for Excellence will build on the hard work that has already positively impacted so many people in our region.

"Importantly, we are reshaping our approach to education, research and innovation across areas of the advanced medical care that we provide, creating a framework where working collaboratively with our partners and the wider community, the highest possible standards of pre-hospital clinical care can be reached."

Dr Grier explained that the centre will "focus on how world-leading research and innovations".

He said: "Our Patient and Family Liaison Team has made a huge difference in recent years.

"So, there is an intention to significantly increase our ability to provide support, care, and compassion for our patients and their families, way beyond the crucial initial phase.  

"On behalf of the clinical team, I would like to thank everyone who donates to support the work that we do."

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Essex and Herts Air Ambulance's chief executive officer Jane Gurney, said: "Achieving clinical excellence sits at the centre of our ambitions with patient experience and outcomes encompassing all our activity, so the Centre for Excellence is a really exciting step for us.

"I am truly delighted the charity, supported by our trustees, is now building on the incredible work we are doing day in and day out, to change the face of pre-hospital care within our region and beyond."

To support and find out more, visit ehaat.org.