The
long service and achievements of South East Coast Ambulance Service
(SECAmb) staff and volunteers were celebrated at the first of the
Trust’s annual awards ceremonies.
The ceremony, the first of three to be held across the Trust’s
region, was held on Thursday 21 February at The Orangery, Turkey
Mill, Maidstone, Kent.
A combined total of some 850 years’ service was recognised,
while Chief Executive Commendations were awarded across a range of
categories including Exceeding Expectations and Clinical
Excellence/Quality Improvement.
Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Bill Cockcroft, attended as the
Queen’s representative to present Queen’s Long Service and Good
Conduct medals, while staff were also recognised for 20 and 30
years’ NHS service. Volunteer community first responders were
thanked and recognised for dedicating 10 years’ service.
Among those awarded Chief Executive Commendations were Emergency
Medical Advisors Hayley Marsh and Sydney Hughes who, while en route
to work at the Trust’s Coxheath Emergency Operations Centre,
stopped to help a lorry driver who was badly injured in a road
traffic collision.
Elsewhere the efforts and quick thinking of a number of
Ashford-based staff were acknowledged after they helped in the
response to a vehicle fire which broke out at the Trust’s Ashford
Make Ready Centre.
And
the partnership work of the Trust’s Medway staff and Kent Police
was recognised for the development and running of the Trust’s first
Joint Response Unit. The unit, which has proved extremely
successful, currently responds across the Medway area on Friday and
Saturday nights.
SECAmb Chief Executive Daren Mochrie said: “I was delighted to
celebrate the achievements and long service of our staff and
volunteers at what was, as ever, a very humbling event. Our awards
highlight the dedication of our staff and volunteers and showcase
just a small number of examples of the amazing work which goes on
across our region every day. I am very proud of the commitment and
professionalism shown by everyone.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the family,
friends and loved ones of staff who provide often unrecognised
support throughout what is a rewarding but often challenging
career.
“Well done to all our award winners but also to every single
member of staff or volunteer who goes the extra mile to respond to
our patients day-in, day-out.”
Details of every award winner can be found below.
Chief Executive Commendations
Exceeding Expectations: Katie Duncan, Beatrice Evans and Kieran
Marshall for their quick thinking and actions when, off duty, they
rescued a number of people from boats which caught fire in Ramsgate
Harbour last summer.
Exceeding Expectations: Emergency Medical Advisors Hayley Marsh
and Sydney Hughes for their efforts, while en route to work at
Coxheath, when they stopped to help a lorry driver who was badly
injured in a road traffic collision.
Exceeding Expectations: Michael Darby, Ian McDonald, James
Potter, Kelli Sullivan and Shane Williams after they helped in the
response to a car fire which broke out at the Trust’s Ashford Make
Ready Centre.
Exceeding Expectations: Paramedic Steve Tucker from Ashford who,
while off duty, helped save the lives of three people who were
involved in a helicopter crash.
Exceeding Expectations: Hastings Ambulance crew Paul
Bartlett and Jason Westbury for their actions in helping a patient
from a house which was in danger of going up in flames following a
chip pan fire. (Please note that Jason will be collecting his award
at another ceremony).
Clinical Excellence and Quality Improvement: SECAmb and Kent
Police Medway Joint Response Unit – The Medway Joint Response Unit
was initially set up as a six-month pilot in March 2018. The
collaboration helps reduce the number of times each organisation
has to call upon the other for assistance with the unit crewed by a
paramedic and two Police Specials. The unit has proved extremely
successful and currently responds across the Medway area on Friday
and Saturday nights.
Queen’s Ambulance Service medals for Long Service & Good
conduct (20 years) were presented to:
Nicola Avery, Hastings
Steven Barrett, Sittingbourne
Tracy Boyd, Hastings
Lisa Brett, Medway
Peter Burbidge, Ashford
Jamie Clark, Hastings
Richard de Coverley, Cranbrook
Philip Eversfield, Paddock Wood
Roger Haire, Guildford
Rita Hasemore, Gillingham
Roger Hext, Canterbury
Alison Kennedy, Hastings
Alan Phillpott, Folkestone
Gary Shadbolt-Smith, Eastbourne
Kay Towsey, Medway
Graham Wood, Eastbourne
20 years NHS Long Service medals
Jacqueline Harley, Coxheath
Stephen Valente, Ashford
Louise Williams, Margate
30 years NHS Long Service Award:
Graham Bailey, Ashford
Elizabeth Brooker, Hastings
Karen Creasey, Ashford
Christopher Doye, Ashford
Denise Dyer, Polegate
Stephen Mitchell, Thanet
Martin Oliver, Thameside
John Walker, Brighton
Volunteer’s 10 years Long Service Award
Tony Kettle, Bearstead
Tony Tappenden, Loose
Scott Montgomery, Sittingbourne