KENT'S Air Ambulance service has welcomed a report praising its work but vowed not to become complacent.

The report into the care of severely injured patients, published by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), recognised the work of air ambulances in improving standards of treatment.

Its aim was to produce a rounded picture of the current care offered to the critically injured, to identify remediable factors in the care of patients and make recommendations for clinicians and managers to implement.

The report said: "Helicopters should not only be considered as a mode of transport, but also a system of care."

John Tickner, operations manager of the charitably-funded Air Ambulance service in Kent, Surrey and Sussex said: "We welcome this report and the recognition of the contribution that Air Ambulances make to the care of patients."

The report's recommendations included establishing links with specialist trauma centres and making sure patients have access to experienced, multi-disciplinary teams, including doctors, with advanced skills.

David Philpott, chief executive of the region's air ambulance service said: "What is exceptionally pleasing is that we have already introduced the key recommendations of this landmark report.

"We have established strong links with one of the country's leading trauma centres and skilled and experienced doctors already fly on board our helicopters every hour of our operation.

But he added: "As welcoming as this news is, we are determined not to become complacent as a result of this unqualified endorsement of our service."

The Air Ambulance service in Kent, Surrey and Sussex costs around £3million annually to stay airborne.

It receives no funding from the Government or the National Lottery and is entirely dependent on the public to support the two helicopters, based at Marden and Dunsfold.