A report suggesting people being treated for major trauma have increased chances of survival has been welcomed by a charity.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust welcomed the EClinical Medicine report which said a reorganisation of trauma centres in England had seen numbers rise by a fifth since 2012.

The news published by the Lancet concluded 1,600 extra lives had been saved following the creation of specialist trauma centres.

Clinical director at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, Stuart Elms, said: “Essex & Herts Air Ambulance work within two Major Trauma Networks, East of England and London and we are proud to have been a part of this amazing outcome, working in partnership with our colleagues from the Emergency Services and NHS.”

He added in the 20 years the service had been operating there had been “massive” practice changes and that patients received “vastly different” care than a decade ago.

Mr Elms went on to say: “We are constantly looking for ways we can deliver the best care to patients and we look forward to continuing to work with the Major Trauma Networks, our partner emergency services and other regional air ambulances to ensure these patients continue to receive exemplary care now and in the future.”