Publish date: 28 May 2026
Our Ambulance Service is celebrating being named regional champion at the first-ever NHS Excellence Awards, for its groundbreaking Out‑of‑Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) Survival Improvement Programme.
The service has been recognised in the Improving Health Outcomes category for its system‑wide transformation of cardiac arrest care, helping more people survive cardiac arrest on the Island.
Recognising that survival depends on coordinated action at every stage, the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service adopted a fully integrated approach with partners to transform the support available.
Over the past two years, the programme has delivered remarkable improvements across the Island, including:
- Community readiness and education
Over 4,000 island residents, including employers and school children, have been empowered through CPR and defibrillator training.
- Stronger community emergency response networks
Expansion of the Volunteer Community First Responder scheme, alongside a strengthened partnership with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, to collaboratively deliver lifesaving skills for out of hospital cardiac arrest incidents, ensuring faster arrival and earlier intervention.
- Enhanced clinical care on scene
Critical Care Paramedics have been trained to align with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance governance standards, increasing clinical capability.
- Faster access to specialist treatment
A pioneering collaboration with Hovertravel that enables rapid transfer to Portsmouth Hospitals’ cath labs, ensuring Island patients receive timely, life-saving cardiac interventions.
- Targeted placement of defibrillators
Increased availability of Public Access Defibrillators (PADs), strategically located to improve early access to defibrillation.
- Life After Cardiac Arrest – Small Island, Big Heart
Supported by funding from NHS Charities Together and Isle of Wight Hospital Charity, Small Island, Big Heart offers peer-support and connection with others to survivors of cardiac arrest and those around them.
Victoria White, Director of Ambulance Service at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be recognised as a regional champion. This award is testament to the dedication of our teams, partners and community who together are working hard to improve the survival rate of people suffering cardiac arrest on the Isle of Wight. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported this important work so far and helped show what is possible when a whole community comes together to save lives.”
After being named regional champions, our Ambulance Service will now go forward as a finalist in the national awards, which will be announced during NHS Confed Expo in June.
