South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) staff and volunteers have been recognised for their long service and achievements in a virtual online awards ceremony.
The event was arranged after SECAmb had to postpone two of its annual awards ceremonies in March 2020 due to COVID-19. Staff were given the choice to attend the virtual event or attend a future traditional ceremony when possible.
The Lord Lieutenants of East Sussex and Surrey, Sir Peter Field and Michael More-Molyneux attended to recognise and congratulate staff receiving Queen’s Medals for Long Service and Good Conduct. The High Sherriff of Surrey, Shahid Azeem, was also in attendance. Staff and volunteers also picked up long service awards for 10, 20, 30 and an amazing 40 years’ NHS service (full list of awards winners below).
Marking 40 years keeping ambulances on the road was vehicle maintenance technician, Andrew Beech from Chertsey. Also celebrating 40 years was Worthing-based paramedic Chris Williams.
Chris’s four decades with the ambulance service include attending numerous note-worthy incidents including being one of the first ambulance personnel in attendance at the Brighton bombing in 1984 and being part of the UK’s emergency response to Ebola in Sierra Leone in 2014.
Staff also received Chief Executive commendations for their achievements. (Full list below).
Among those receiving commendations was Brighton paramedic and operational team leader, Amy Brooker, for the support provided to a newly qualified paramedic struggling following a relocation from another ambulance service.
Elsewhere Polegate-based Operations Manager, Nicole Barrow was recognised for the care and compassion she provided a colleague who was at the end of her life, following a battle with cancer.
Team of the Year went to the Trust’s Mental Health Team for their dedication to improving mental health support to both patients and staff and their work to introduce mental health professionals in the Trust’s 999 Emergency Operations Centres.
SECAmb’s Employee of the Year Award this year went to Ambulance Technician, Steve McIntosh. Steve has served the Brighton area for some 25 years and undertakes a wide range of extra-curricular roles. He plays a vital role in promoting the importance of staff welfare through his work as the local representative for The Ambulance Service Charity (TASC), which fundraises to help staff facing difficult times get the support they need.
SECAmb Chief Executive Philip Astle said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to recognise some of the staff who were unable to receive their awards in March last year. I am always extremely humbled by the dedication of the decades of service we mark and incredibly proud of the special achievements of our commendation winners. These achievements are just a small selection of the amazing work which goes on day-in, day-out across our region.
“This year has been particularly challenging for staff and it is vital that we continue to recognise the commitment shown to their communities and each other. I would like to thank the Lord Lieutenants of East Sussex and Surrey, Sir Peter Field and Michael More-Molyneux as well as the High Sheriff of Surrey, Shahid Azeem for being part of this unique event. I would also take this opportunity to thank all staff, whatever their role and length of service, for commitment they show and the work they do to serve patients across our region.”
Details of all award winners (photos and further detail available on request)
Chief Executive Commendations
Demonstrating Compassion – Serious Incident Manager, Natalie Cole and Mental Health Senior Practitioner, Steve Norman – For their professionalism while undertaking an investigation following a complaint from the parents of a woman who had sadly passed away following care from the Trust. The parents of the patient, who was a frequent caller to both NHS 111 and 999, took the time to praise Steve and Nat’s approach highlighting the manner in which the pair had handled their concerns and answered questions which helped them come to terms with what had happened and also helped them through the grieving process.
Demonstrating Compassion – Operational Team Leader, Brighton – Amy Brooker – For the support provided to a newly qualified paramedic struggling following a relocation from another ambulance service. With Amy’s help, the member of staff got the help he needed and was referred to the Trust’s Wellbeing Hub. Amy continued to be on hand to offer one-to-one support whenever it was needed.
Demonstrating Compassion – Operations Manager, Nicole Barrow, Polegate – for the care and compassion she provided a colleague who was at the end of her life, following a battle with cancer. In her role as welfare contact for Caroline Stannard, a much-loved ECSW from Hastings, Nicole often went above and beyond what might have been expected of her.
Community or Voluntary Service – Brighton Community First Responder, Dan May-Jones – For his dedication to his Community First Responder role and in particular for the crucial role he played in a successful resuscitation of a man in Brighton in 2019 after being alerted to the incident via the Good Sam phone app.
Team of the Year – Gary Davies-Ebsworth, Steve Norman and Cheryl Campling – For their dedication to improving mental health support to both patients and staff and their work to introduce mental health professionals in the Trust’s 999 Emergency Operations Centres.
Employee of the Year – Steve McIntosh – Steve has served the Brighton area for some 25 years and undertakes a wide range of extra-curricular roles. He plays a vital role in promoting the importance of staff welfare through his work as the local representative for The Ambulance Service Charity (TASC), which fundraises to help staff facing difficult times get the support they need.
Long Service Awards
Queen’s Ambulance Service medals for Long Service & Good conduct (20 years):
| David Blanchard, Paramedic, Guildford |
| Charlie Bringloe, Paramedic, Chertsey |
| Gerry Davis, Critical Care Paramedic, Brighton |
| Dan Garratt, Paramedic, Redhill |
| Michael Gosney, Ambulance Technician, Redhill |
| Kelly Lucas, Paramedic, Brighton |
| Anna May, Advanced Ambulance Technician, Brighton |
| Kevin McKeown, Paramedic, Gatwick |
| Graham Mitchell, Paramedic and HART Team Leader, Gatwick |
| Sheena Moloney, Paramedic, Brighton |
| Michael Oliver, Advanced Ambulance Technician, Hastings |
| Kenneth Smith, Paramedic, Chertsey |
| Sarah Tate, Advanced Ambulance Technician, Godalming |
| Simon Ticehurst, Paramedic Practitioner, Brighton |
20 years’ NHS Long Service medals:
| Tim Hodgson, Paramedic, Hastings |
| Rebecca Molden, Advanced Ambulance Technician, Chertsey |
| Derek Morris, Vehicle Maintenance Technician, Tangmere |
| Kate Nebbett, Dispatch Team Leader, West EOC, Crawley |
| Tammy Page, Frequent Caller Practitioner, Worthing |
| Ian Richards, Vehicle Maintenance Technician, Tangmere |
| Alison Roser, Dispatch Team Leader, West EOC, Crawley |
30 years’ NHS Long Service Award:
| Martin Lock, Paramedic, Polegate |
| Neil Martin, Paramedic, Tangmere |
| Neil Monery, Senior Education Manager, Clinical Education |
| Clare Randtoul, Clinical Supervisor, West EOC, Crawley |
| Nigel Stock, Operations Manager, Guildford |
| David Wells, Head of Community Resilience, Tangmere |
40 years’ NHS Long Service Award:
| Andrew Beech, Vehicle Maintenance Technician, Chertsey |
| Chris Williams, Paramedic, Worthing |
Volunteer’s 10 Years’ Long Service Award:
| Jill Andrews, Community First Responder (CFR), Bexhill Terry Andrews, CFR, Bexhill |
| Matthew Briggs, CFR, Eastbourne |
| Elizabeth Greenfield, CFR, Pulborough |
| Anthony Parsons, CFR, Crawley |
| Hazel Roxby, CFR, Steyning |
Volunteer’s 20 Years’ Long Service Award:
Reverend Francis Pole, Joint Trust Senior Chaplain (West), Crawley