The life-saving message “bra off, defib on” has taken on new meaning for Julie de Mink, who has been researching its impact during her recovery from a cardiac arrest. In the early hours of 2 January 2026, Julie, a mother of three called 111 after experiencing chest pain. Her symptoms were escalated to 999 and Dispatch Team Leader, James, at the Gillingham Emergency Operations Centre sent clinicia
Every week in the UK, approximately 12 people under the age of 35 die following sudden cardiac arrest and for 18-year-old Hayden from Westgate-on-Sea, SECAmb’s rapid response proved truly lifesaving. Hayden collapsed on the morning of 22 January 2026 while at home with his mum, Stacey, who was preparing to leave for work. He had been in bed getting ready to start his day when Stacey briefly check
A routine drive to an event turned into a life-saving rescue when two motorists stopped to help a cyclist lying beside his bike, only to discover he was in cardiac arrest. Craig Ormiston, aged 57 suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while cycling towards Brands Hatch on the morning of 21 June 2025 after setting out from the West Malling area on what had started as a beautiful sunny day. Friends, Emma
What began as what felt like mild chest pain quickly turned into a race against time for one Maidstone man who has since been reunited with the emergency team who helped treat him following a heart attack. Brian Gard aged 76 was at home with his wife, Heather, on 10 January 2026 when he began experiencing chest pain he initially thought was angina which is a condition caused by reduced blood flow
With His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and approximately 2,000 guests in attendance, our teams were on hand to ensure the historic enthronement of Dame Sarah Mullally, the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, ran safely. As part of the operation, our teams were situated at Canterbury Cathedral within the command
Congratulations are in order as the West Kent Unscheduled Care Navigation Hub (UCNH) took home a prestigious Healthwatch award for their outstanding collaborative patient care recently. The team were presented with the award at the event on Thursday, 26 February at Revelation in Ashford with Practice Development Lead, Sean and Advanced Paramedic Practitioner, Peter Elliott receiving the award alo
Simon Warner-Ingate has been re-elected for a further two-year term as Deputy Chair of the Armed Forces Network, continuing his work to strengthen support for colleagues with military connections. A Operations Manager Clinical and Paramedic by background, Simon brings both operational leadership and lived armed forces experience to the role. He joined the ambulance service in 2004 after completin
A woman found unresponsive by a dog walker near Maidstone has reunited with ambulance crews and is now campaigning for better mental health and eating disorder support. Shannon was in her early 20s when a dog walker discovered a trail of belongings in Fant Wildlife Area in September 2022. After following the trail, the dog located Shannon, who was unresponsive and hypothermic. The dog walker imme
The family of a Kent man who survived two cardiac arrests is now arranging for their community to learn how to save a life after reuniting with the ambulance crew who brought him back. John, from Chainhurst in Kent had been go-karting with his family at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex on 30 October 2025 when he began to feel hot, clammy and complained of chest pain. Seeing John become increasin
In one of the service’s most pressured environments, Dr Gaurav Asal is known for leading with compassion which was recognised recently with a local presentation of his Chief Executive’s Commendation. Dr Asal, Integrated Care Medical Lead, was presented with the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Demonstrating Kindness during a local presentation led by Emma Webber, Clinical Operations Manager for