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 local community. We spoke to Lucy Hutchins, Aermec UK's Health Safety & Environment & Quality Manager about the sponsorship;  Why did Aermec UK choose to support BASICS Essex? “As a national but Essex-based company, when possible we like to support our local community. We see BASICS Essex as not only a local worthwhile cause, but it is also a charity that serves and helps our local communities.” Beyond sponsorship “We regularly engage in wellbeing activities and enjoy supporting charitable initiatives. Throughout the year, we anticipate organising activities dedicated to raising funds for BASICS Essex, alongside our sponsorship.” BASICS Essex provides specialist pre-hospital emergency medical care across the county — with volunteer doctors responding to serious incidents in their own time, often arriving before an ambulance to provide life-saving treatment. Every clinician is a highly trained medical professional who donates their expertise, equipment, and time to support patients in critical need. The ‘Sponsor a Clinician’  initiative gives local businesses an opportunity to make a direct and tangible impact by helping fund the equipment, training and operational costs that enable these volunteers to continue their vital work. Paul Gates, said "The team and I are incredibly grateful to Aermec UK for their generous support and for helping us continue to deliver critical pre-hospital care to those who need it most in Essex. I am personally honoured to be chosen for sponsorship - while the funds will help the team continue to save lives across the country." Learn more about our Sponsor A Clinician campaign here

At 34 years old, based in  Kent , Matt Burton balances a busy life as both an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Emergency Medicine and a dedicated volunteer for BASICS Essex.   By day, he works across adult and paediatric services at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. By night—or whenever the call comes—he brings his expertise to the roadside, living rooms, and anywhere else his patients might need him.   His journey into  this field   began in 2013 when he  joined  the London Ambulance Service. “I worked in ambulance, response vehicle, and control, in both standard paramedic and advanced practice roles,” he recalls. After several years in prehospital care, he transitioned into hospital practice in 2019, where he’s since worked across two busy South London hospitals. “I’ve seen a good mix of patients and built up a lot of knowledge and skill quickly,” he explains.   But even with the variety of hospital practices, Matt felt something was missing. “I found BASICS and felt like I could use these skills for wider use in the local community” , he says. “This seemed like a no-brainer and an area of practice I had often thought was needed in my prehospital work. BASICS felt like a bridge to that.”   That bridge has not only allowed Matt to use his skills outside of the hospital walls, but also to share them with others. “I like that being a BASICS  Essex volunteer is not just about bringing knowledge and skill to the roadside. We regularly debrief ambulance crews, and these are a great opportunity to share knowledge and educate,” he explains.   “While we meet a lot of critically ill patients in our line of work, the most rewarding part of the role is being able to offer a sense of calm both for patients and supporting clinical services in distressing situations – being able to de-escalate and discharge on scene without overwhelming local health services is hugely important."   Of course, none of this would be possible without the right tools. “Our monitor is the most important piece of equipment we take to incidents,” he notes. “It gives us vital information such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart tracing, carbon dioxide level—without this we couldn’t do many of the things we do, such as anaesthesia, sedation, or enhanced analgesia.”   Outside of his demanding roles, Matt is first and foremost a family man. With a partner and three children, his downtime is precious. “Family time is really important to me,” he says. And when he isn’t working or with his family, you’ll often find him outdoors. “I really enjoy BBQ cooking and can often be found grilling in the garden!”   For Matt, volunteering with BASICS Essex isn’t just about critical interventions—it’s about being present for patients and crews when it matters most, bringing calm to chaos, and ensuring care extends beyond the hospital walls.

By a grateful BASICS Essex patient, Julie from Southend: "I knew the instant I hit the floor that something was badly wrong. My left foot was twisted at a strange angle & pain was building fast. By chance—good or bad—I was on a video call with my twin sister, Angie. I asked her to call an ambulance while I tried not to panic. My right leg had landed on a brass lampstand, leaving a deep gash that looked close to the bone. Angie arrived quickly and pressed a clean tea towel on the wound while I held my left foot, worried about the blood supply. Any injury is complicated for me. I live with cystic fibrosis, mild heart failure and osteopenia, and my care team are already discussing a lung transplant. The ambulance crew soon arrived and gave me gas and air while assessing the damage. They suspected my foot was dislocated and broken in two places. Stronger pain relief and a realignment were needed, so they called for a doctor. I didn’t know it then, but the doctor on his way Chris, was a volunteer with BASICS Essex , an emergency medical charity. Chris drove from Burnham and reached me in about half an hour. Calm and reassuring, he administered stronger medication and worked with the paramedics to move me outside where there was room to treat me. Living in a chalet bungalow meant the stretcher wouldn’t fit through the lounge. With extra pain relief on board, Chris realigned my dislocated foot to protect the blood supply and prevent further damage. Thanks to his skill, we avoided serious complications before I even reached hospital. In A&E, doctors attempted two further realignments but the joint kept slipping. Surgery was the only option. Two days later I underwent an operation under a spinal block—general anaesthetic was too risky given my lung and heart problems. Surgeons fixed metal plates and screws to my left ankle and cleaned and stitched the deep cut in my right leg. Only afterwards did I learn that Chris was a BASICS Essex volunteer and that the charity receives no government funding . These highly trained doctors give their time freely, responding across the county when the NHS is stretched and patients like me need urgent specialist care. I am profoundly grateful. Without BASICS Essex I would have endured hours of unnecessary pain and might have faced permanent damage. It is because Chris arrived when he did, my foot was realigned quickly & I have every chance of walking again after rehabilitation. To everyone who donates or fundraises for BASICS Essex—thank you. Your support puts doctors like Chris on the road, turning terrifying accidents into stories of expert care, compassion and hope." Learn how you can support here.

Meet the team TRUSTEES Paul Gates Chairman Dr Ian Gibson MBE Honorary President Dr Phil Brown Clinical Director Dr C John Eaton Trustee Rob Davies Trustee NON-TRUSTEES Chris Anderson Treasurer Stuart Jackson Honorary Secretary AUTONOMOUS RESPONDERS (Respond individually from home or work) PAUL GATES DR JOHN CHATTERJEE MR JAMES SAMOUELLE MR NICK SILLETT DR TOM CLACK DR RYAN PERRY MR LAURIE PHILIPSON MRS GAYNOR WAREHAM DR MATT BUCKLAND-HOBY TEAM RESPONDERS (Respond as part of the scheme Enhanced Care Car) DR PHIL BROWN MR JOHN HORTON MR TIM ANDERSON MISS CLAIRE FITCHETT MR JAMIE RICKARD MR ASHLEY REED MR ALEX GIRLING DR NEIL STUDD MR MATT KING DR CHRIS HARDY (In Training) DR RICHARD BOOKER DR PADDY WILKINSON FUNDRAISING TEAM CHRISTINE WINZAR Community Funding Officer LISA THOMAS Trust and Grants Officer BELINDA HUNT Fundraiser IT/Digital CHRIS LOZEAU IT/Digital Volunteer

Roles that BASICS Essex are recruiting for. Recruitment We aim to hold recruitment for level 1 paramedics annually and any recruitment rounds will be advertised on here and our social media channels. If you are an East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) recognised Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) or a Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) doctor and interested in joining BASICS Essex, please get in touch. Voluntary paramedic and doctor roles within BASICS Essex allow you to join the enhanced care team and undertake team shifts alongside our CCP's and doctors. Training will be provided. Currently the role is only for team shifts. Applicants are advised that this role will not lead to sign off as a critical care paramedic, but the scheme will, for those applicants who are interested in pursuing this, support such applications. Further information on this will be provided. We would ask for a minimum of 2 shifts per month. If you are interested in joining, email your CV, intention to apply or any questions to chris.hardy@basicsessex.org.uk .

BASICS Essex (British Association for Immediate Care Essex) is a network of volunteer emergency doctors and paramedics who provide immediate access to pre hospital Immediate Medical care. Sponsor A Clinician Learn More Your support helps to save lives in our local community. Text ESSEX to 70085 to donate £5 Introducing BASICS Essex THE ESSEX EMERGENCY MEDICAL CHARITY SAVING LIVES IN ESSEX FOR OVER 50 YEARS Our highly trained volunteer doctors and paramedics respond to incidents at the request of East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust , supplementing the outstanding service provided by ambulance clinicians. Our volunteers respond in our enhanced care vehicle or their own vehicles - anytime, anywhere in Essex. We work with the British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) to provide advanced, emergency care training to our volunteers. What we do You can help us to save local lives We do not receive any statutory funding and therefore rely solely upon grants and donations. Ways to donate Recent News The Volunteer Doctor Who Helped Save My Foot By a grateful BASICS Essex patient, Julie from Southend: "I knew the instant I hit the floor that something was badly wrong. My left foot... Celebrating Essex’s Emergency Services: Collaboration that Saves Lives Every day across Essex, our emergency services step forward to help people in their hour of need. From road traffic collisions to sudden... Volunteers share how local businesses can help BASICS Essex Save Lives Volunteer clinicians in Essex explain how local businesses can get involved to help emergency medical charity BASICS Essex deliver its... All News Full kit carried by our autonomous responders Response Personal Protective Suit £600 Rescue Helmet £150 Advanced Patient Monitor and Defibrillator £14,833 High visibility Jacket £250 Blue Light Fit to Vehicle £2,100 Portable Airway Suction Unit £400 Response Bag (Including Kit) £1,000 Safety Boots £130 Help us provide kit to our responders Ways to donate Passionate about pre-hospital care? Many of our doctors are educators, teaching vital life saving skills to other emergency carers. To help enhance your skills, get in touch today. Contact us TCS LONDON MARATHON BASICS Essex have places available each year in the London Marathon. Run in aid of us and help to enable BASICS Essex to continue with our Voluntary life saving work. More info Join our weekly charity lottery Support us today by joining our new charity lottery, with a guaranteed cash prize every week! More info Subscribe to our newsletter • Don’t miss out! Email Join Thanks for subscribing!