Ambulance UK August 2023

NEWLINE
AMBULANCE UK – AUGUST
*SWAST provided figures per
calendar year, rather than
financial year
[2] MPs back tougher measures
in Protect the Protectors Bill
| GMB
Heroic acts, heartwarming
tales and
long service were
celebrated at West
Midlands Ambulance
Service’s annual
awards ceremonies
on Thursday June 15.
The Staff Long Service &
Excellence Awards and
Excellence in the Community
Awards were held at The
Copthorne Hotel in Brierley
Hill with almost 700 guests
attending across the two
events. Guests included the
Deputy-Lieutenant of the West
Midlands, Ian Sargeant, and
the High Sheriff of the County
of West Midlands, Wade Lyn.
This year, 56 members of staff
were recognised for having given
20 years of service to WMAS,
15 staff were commended for
25 years’ service, 14 received
certificates for 30 years’ service,
three members of staff were
honoured for 35 years in the
Trust whilst two celebrated
the incredible landmark of 40
years of service. Other awards
to be handed out included
Chief Officer Commendations,
Student Paramedic of the Year,
Mentor Awards, Apprenticeship
Awards, Community Initiative
and Partnership Awards; St John
Ambulance Awards; CFR Long
Service Awards and the CFR of
the Year.
Trust Chief Executive, Anthony
Marsh, said: “In the aftermath
of the pandemic, the continuing
cost of living crisis and everything
else that is presenting us all with
CFR Volunteer of the Year, Jean Morgan
(Credit: West Midlands Ambulance Service ).
challenges at the moment, it is
fantastic to have the opportunity
to celebrate some of the
incredible achievements of our
staff, volunteers and members of
the public.
“We are extremely lucky to have
such a professional workforce
and team of volunteers who have
a desire to always do their very
best for the patient.
“There were so many stories of
people going above and beyond,
in all sorts of situations, and to
everyone who was recognised
at these fantastic events, I would
like to say a big well done, and
thank you.”
Deputy-Lieutenant of the West
Midlands, Ian Sargeant, said:
“Being at the awards made me
extremely happy. There are lots
of others words I could use here,
but ‘happy’ is the right one.
“That is because an organisation
such as West Midlands
Ambulance Service only works if
everybody comes together, from
those on the frontline to those
behind the scenes, and everyone
in between.
“We’ve heard about tales of
commitment to care, loyalty,
bravery and dedication and it was
an honour to be present to see
some outstanding members of
staff recognised.”
High Sheriff of the County of
West Midlands, Wade Lyn, said:
“It is so important people are
recognised for the excellence
they show, and we have seen
people from across the region
celebrated, which is fantastic.
“There are so many selfless
people recognised at these
events, all of whom are a real
inspiration to their communities.
By celebrating heroes we
recognise the positive impact they
make and encourage others to
follow in their footsteps, which is
so important. Well done to you all.”
Prof Ian Cumming, WMAS
Chairman, said: “It is important
we recognise our staff, volunteers
and members of the community
because they all do remarkable
things, day in, day out, despite the
NHS facing some of the toughest
challenges every seen. I send a
huge and heartfelt thank you to
them all for everything they do.”
The Trust’s awards were
sponsored by Coventry
University, University of
Wolverhampton, University of
Worcester, Mills and Reeve,
Medskills Academy, Birmingham
City University, Jays Sourcing,
Staffordshire University, VCS Ltd,
DS Medical, G4S, Advantage
Storing and Handling Ltd and
Defibshop.
SCAS re-signs Armed
Forces Covenant
South Central Ambulance
Service NHS Foundation
Trust (SCAS) has reiterated
its commitment to support
members of the armed
forces community, including
reservists and veterans, by
signing up once again to the
Armed Forces Covenant.
SCAS was the first ambulance
trust in the country to sign up to
the covenant in 2014 and a formal
re-signing took place at the
Trust’s North Harbour Resource
Centre in Portsmouth on
Wednesday, 5 July. Signatories
to this latest commitment
were Dr John Black, medical
director for SCAS and retired
lieutenant colonel, and Surgeon
Commodore Stuart Collett
CBE KHP.
By signing the covenant,
organisations give a formal
commitment to ensure that
members of the armed
forces community are never
disadvantaged through service life.
Serving personnel, veterans and
their families can sometimes be
affected by the frequent house
moves, separation from loved
ones and support networks,
and unfamiliarity with civilian life
meaning they can find themselves
on the back foot when accessing
public goods and services, such
as healthcare.
Dr Black said: “It was a privilege
to once again sign the Armed
Forces Covenant on behalf of
SCAS as a demonstration of our
support to serving personnel,
veterans, reservists and their
families.
“As well as taking into account
the needs of the armed forces
community in the development
of our services and policies,
I am also delighted that we
continue to offer veterans and
reservists a range of employment
opportunities within SCAS.”
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