THE Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance service has been recognised at a national awards evening in London for its commitment and passion for excellence over the last year.

The charity was named as the Health Business Awards Air Ambulance Service of the Year for 2014 at the Grange Hotel last week at the awards which promote examples of excellence and best practice in hospitals, trusts, clinical commissioning groups and other organisations that work inside and alongside the NHS.

Bill Sivewright, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance chief executive officer, said: “The focus for our nomination was the post graduate education programme which we established for our paramedics and shows the value we place on their continuous development.

“This award recognises the contribution made by our crew, staff, trustees and volunteers to develop and deliver our life-saving service.

It also shows the part played by the general public who support us so generously and we say a big thank you to them.”

For more information on the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance service visit www.dsairambulance.org.uk or call 01823 669604.