Our team were recognised nationally at this year’s Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence, being shortlisted as finalists in four categories.

Organised by Air Ambulances UK, the awards took place last night to celebrate and recognise the dedicated professionals who tirelessly contribute their specialised life-saving skills and unwavering commitment to the air ambulance community. 

Captain Mario Carretta (Unit Chief Pilot), Caroline Guy (Lottery Manager) and Matt Sawyer (Advanced Practitioner) were all individually shortlisted as finalists within the Pilot of the Year, Charity Staff Member of the Year and Critical Care Practitioner of the Year categories. Further recognition saw our ‘Saving Lives at Glastonbury’ initiative make the final shortlist in the Campaign of the Year category.

The independent panel of judges deliberated long and hard due to the outstanding quality of the nominations. Each of the winners were announced, which saw our very own Matt Sawyer take the accolade of Critical Care Practitioner of the Year.

Over the past year, Matt has demonstrated excellent clinical standards in delivering the highest possible quality of medical care to patients. Through his leadership and role modelling, he has trained, educated, inspired and supported the whole team to extend the content of patient advocacy to new levels. Matt has taken on a multitude of projects, devoting significant time (often on a voluntary basis) to enhancing our operations. He is a wonderful patient advocate and clinical innovator, who inspires others to achieve more for patients every day.

On receiving this very special award, Matt said: 

Being shortlisted for these awards, let alone winning, was a surprise for me. Especially as I work alongside colleagues and friends at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and beyond who do truly amazing things for patients day in and day out. I am incredibly grateful and completely honoured to receive this award and really proud to be part of such a great team. Thank you to everyone who has supported me - this is an award for our incredible team.

Our CEO, Charles Hackett praised everyone on their achievements and said: 

We are extremely proud of our team and the people that were shortlisted for one of this year’s national Awards of Excellence. No one is more deserving of recognition than Matt Sawyer, winning Critical Care Practitioner of the Year. He is a great example to all of us who work in the air ambulance and critical care sector and we are very lucky to have him with us at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.