South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation
Trust (SECAmb) hosted a successful first UK National Ambulance LGBT
(lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender) Network conference at the
Amex Stadium in Brighton on Friday, (5 August).

Feedback from the day was extremely positive as the Trust
welcomed colleagues from across the country to the event.

SECAmb’s Acting Chief Executive, Geraint Davies, who opened the
conference said: “I was really pleased to see the conference
attended by delegates from all ambulance services in England &
Wales. Given its success I have no hesitation to committing to

SECAmb hosting next year’s conference again to actively support
equality and diversity across ambulance services nationally.”

SECAmb secured established key note speakers for the conference.
Dr Joanna Semlyen, Phd, lecturer in Psychology/Mental Health at
Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia spoke on
LGBT mental health issues and Caroline Paige, who transitioned
after serving in the Royal Air Force, delivered a strong personal
account of the transitioning process within the workplace.

The conference unveiled an ambulance ‘wrapped’ in Pride colours
which drew cheers from the crowds on Saturday where a record 150
staff, family, friends and fellow ambulance service colleagues then
joined the Pride parade.

Tim Fellows, SECAmb paramedic and Operating Unit Manager for
Brighton and Hove said:  “Across the weekend, we handled close
to 500 emergency calls in the city. With additional ambulances and
response cars on duty we were expertly supported by our Volunteer
Community First Responders and St John Ambulance. I would like to
thank everyone for their energy, hard work and skill in providing
the ambulance resources that the city needed.”

Geraint Davies added: “Year-on-year our strong presence in the
parade at the Pride event never fails to receive support from the
crowds lining the streets and it makes me extremely proud to be
part of SECAmb. Operationally, we tackled one of our busiest
weekends in the year successfully with a well-planned response and
I join Tim in thanking all volunteers and staff for the dedication
they have shown to their job and the community.”