People’s Choice Award 2026 Gold Longform Over £5Million
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is proud to announce the release of its first-ever bereavement focused patient film, Navigating Grief after Sudden and Traumatic Loss. This powerful and empathetic resource delves into the complexities of grief through the lived experiences of two families supported by EHAAT’s dedicated Patient & Family Liaison Team.
While EHAAT’s core mission is to deliver life-saving pre-hospital emergency care, the charity’s commitment to its patients and their families extends far beyond the scene of an emergency. Through years of working closely with bereaved families, EHAAT has identified a recurring theme of profound isolation, with many grieving individuals feeling that no one truly understands their pain.
Recognising this, EHAAT developed Navigating Grief after Sudden and Traumatic Loss to provide a compassionate resource for anyone navigating the journey of grief. The film gives a voice to those who have faced the heartbreak of sudden loss, offering solace and understanding to others who may be experiencing similar circumstances.
Air ambulances often respond to the most critical emergencies, providing advanced pre-hospital care to patients in life-threatening situations. Despite the best efforts of EHAAT’s highly skilled medical teams, there are moments when patients do not survive. In these instances, families are left to grapple with the devastating reality of sudden and unexpected loss.
The film highlights the poignant stories of two families who share their personal experiences of losing a loved one in sudden and unexpected circumstances, shedding light on the emotional challenges of bereavement and the impact of support during such difficult times. By sharing these narratives, EHAAT aims to inspire open discussions around grief and foster greater empathy and resilience within communities.
Available on EHAAT’s website, the film is designed for individuals, families, friends, and professionals. It serves as a resource they can turn to whenever they feel ready, providing comfort, understanding, and hope during their bereavement journey.
“As a charity dedicated to saving lives, we understand that our responsibility doesn’t end with the immediate care we provide at the scene,” said Alice Kershberg, lead for patient and family liaison. “This film reflects our commitment to supporting families who experience the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one. We hope it will serve as a source of comfort and connection for those navigating the complexities of grief.”
EHAAT’s Patient & Family Liaison Team plays a pivotal role in offering tailored support to families following traumatic events. The insights gained from this work have informed the creation of this unique bereavement film, which represents a significant step forward in the way the charity supports its community.
The release of Navigating Grief after Sudden and Traumatic Loss marks a significant milestone for EHAAT in its ongoing mission to provide the best possible care and support to patients and their families. By addressing an often-overlooked aspect of the emergency care journey, EHAAT is furthering its commitment to compassionate, holistic care that extends beyond the immediate response to an emergency.
Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, unlike NHS emergency services, is a charity. The free life-saving service is provided 24/7 by helicopters and by rapid response vehicles.
Each critical care team consists of a pilot and co-pilot, a pre-hospital care doctor and a critical care paramedic. They can be rushed to the scene with life-saving support equipment to deliver advanced clinical care, usually only available in the hospital emergency department. Once stabilised, the patient will be conveyed to the most appropriate hospital by air or land.
On average, we treat 1,900 patients every year, with our HEMS team dispatched approximately seven times per day across Essex, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.
We strive to save lives, reduce or prevent disability, or suffering from critical illness and injury, by delivering a first-class pre-hospital emergency medical service, but we rely on the goodwill and generosity of people and businesses in our local communities to keep our life-saving service operational. With two helicopters and a fleet of rapid response vehicles (RRVs), our life-saving service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Each base works a twelve-hour helicopter shift when daylight hours allow. The shift continues in a rapid response vehicle (RRV) when daylight hours are reduced.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Please register using the form below.
This helps us to stop voting abuse and also enables us to communicate the finalists and winners to everyone who voted. We will not pass this information on to anyone else.