News

On Friday 24th July at approximately 4:50pm, BASICS Essex Headquarters, situated on Highlands Farm was directly affected by a fire and explosion, which was quickly classed as a major incident. Firstly, we would like to reiterate our sincere thanks to the outstanding firefighters and emergency services who responded with such bravery and professionalism, including many of our colleagues East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, in particular the HART team. Their actions ens

BASICS Essex is celebrating the ongoing impact of funding received from The National Lottery Community Fund, which is helping ensure critically ill and injured patients across Essex continue to receive enhanced emergency pre-hospital medical care when they need it most. The charity was awarded £20,000 through The National Lottery Community Fund to support the development and operational readiness of its volunteer clinicians. The funding has been used to support training and p

A man whose dedication has helped shape pre-hospital emergency care across the United Kingdom has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in The King's Birthday Honours List 2026. Paul Gates, current Vice-Chair of the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) and Co-Founder and Chairman of BASICS Essex, has received the honour in recognition of more than two decades of service to healthcare, clinical education, organisational development and Pre-Hospital Critical Ca

BASICS Essex is inviting businesses, community groups and organisations across the region to book its new ‘Field First Aid’ sessions – designed to equip teams with practical, life-saving skills that could make a critical difference in an emergency. Delivered by experienced volunteer clinicians, the sessions bring real-world emergency care knowledge directly into workplaces and community settings, helping groups feel more confident and prepared to act when it matters most. Pra

Nineteen determined runners have helped raise more than £50,000 for BASICS Essex after taking on the London Marathon — supporting the charity’s volunteer clinicians as they continue responding to life-threatening emergencies across Essex. From first-time marathon runners to inspirational milestone challenges and family fundraising efforts, each participant had their own deeply personal reason for running the iconic 26.2-mile course. Together, their efforts will help BASICS Es

When people talk about calling to mind the very spirit of prehospital medicine—commitment, sacrifice, and a relentless drive to help others - few stories compare to that of Dr Phil Brown. His route into BASICS (British Association for Immediate Care) wasn’t just unusual; it was extraordinary. It was a journey shaped by family, dedication, and an unwavering belief that he could - and should - make a difference outside hospital walls. From Environmental Health Officer to Emerge

BASICS Essex has long been powered by extraordinary people. Our volunteer clinicians give their time, skill, and compassion to bring advanced medical care to those who need it most, often in the most challenging circumstances. Their dedication is the reason so many lives across Essex have been saved, supported, and changed. As the charity continues to grow, so does the need to strengthen the foundations that support our responders. That’s why we’re delighted to welcome Kim Tu

A woman from Chalkwell (Southend-On-Sea) has helped save a life just days after attending a CPR and AED training session delivered by BASICS Essex , highlighting the real and immediate impact of the charity’s voluntary workshop. Nearly half of UK adults (43 %) have never learned CPR, according to British Heart Foundation research. This equates to an estimated 23 million people without basic CPR training. BASICS Essex recently delivered a CPR and AED workshop for members of th

As families across Essex gather to celebrate the festive season, the volunteer clinicians of BASICS Essex , the county’s emergency pre-hospital critical care charity, will once again be on the road—responding to the most serious incidents where someone’s Christmas relies on us . In 2025, the charity has experienced its busiest year on record , responding to over 300 emergency callouts at the request of the East of England Ambulance Service. These incidents typically represen

We’re delighted to announce that Aermec UK has joined BASICS Essex’s growing network of corporate supporters through our ‘Sponsor a Clinician’ scheme, proudly sponsoring BASICS Essex Chairman & volunteer clinician Paul Gates. Aermec UK provides advanced Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) solutions for industrial and commercial enterprises across the UK. While operating nationally, the company has strong roots in Essex and remains committed to supporting its