Air paramedic's fond farewell after 15 years flying high
Thursday, 24 February, 2011
A high flying paramedic who helped roll out a vital emergency response charity service has received a fond farewell from colleagues this week after she handed in her wings for the last time.
Flint ambulance station Clinical Team Leader Jenny Mackintosh is calling time on a 15 year role providing fast help from above for people in need all over Wales.
Jenny is one of the first female paramedics to provide air ambulance support in Wales, covering November Whiskey One, the North Wales Police Helicopter and the flight of the Wales Air Ambulance charity, from its beginnings in 2001 to its current work with the new the EC-135 aircraft.
Before embarking on her flight plan to provide life saving care in quickest time possible from the aircrafts, Jenny, 41, began her career with the ambulance service in 1991 in Mold, as a member of the Patient Care Services.
Three years later she began her first steps into the Emergency Medical Services arena as an ambulance technician and in 1995 she became a paramedic.
She said: "I started flying with the North Wales Police helicopter in 1995, back then we saw quite a few motorcycle accidents on the roads and a partnership was agreed by the ambulance service and the police to provide a paramedic on the aircraft.
"From 2001 onwards I did a week at a time in Swansea, combined with stints on the police aircraft and my on the road shifts up here, back then there was only myself and another on the helicopter from North Wales. It was exciting; it had all the right equipment we needed to do the job."
A five day a week service began at Caernarfon Airport during July 2003, increasing to a seven day service in November, and Jenny brought her experience from Swansea back home north to help establish the service into what people know and see today.
"When we started up in 2003, people at first were a bit afraid of us coming in but now they are very used to us, especially flying across Gwynedd from the airbase. Personally I would like to say a big thank you to all the support the charity has had from people out there and I hope it continues day in day out."
Although she is hanging up her air ambulance helmet for the last time, Jenny has plenty of fond memories to accompany her on the road whilst she works back in Flintshire.
"My best memory of being on the aircraft is when we took a child down to London on a transfer; we flew alongside the London Eye which was very iconic. I've also worked with lovely pilots and of course lovely paramedics! I do like fly and have seen great scenery while up in the aircrafts."
"I will miss everything. It's so nice that you can get to a patient in the aircraft in so little time. A lot of the crew I work with are from Gwynedd and day to day you don't see them when you are on the road, it's a long time before you can catch up again.
She added: "It's the tenth anniversary of the Wales Air Ambulance this year and I've been flying for 15 years. I thought this was the best time to stand aside and let someone else in the service have a go and enjoy and experience the role that I have done and been proud to do.
Fellow air paramedic Mark Timmins, a clinical team leader based at Corwen ambulance station paid tribute to Jenny's work with the vital service
He said: "Jenny has been a much valued member of the aircraft team both air ambulance and police aircraft. She can always be relied on when needed and is always willing to pass on her knowledge and experience to those who need it. Jenny will be greatly missed and we all wish her well for the future."
And Wales Air Ambulance Chief Executive Angela Hughes added: ""Jenny has always been passionate about the work of the air ambulance. In those early stages ten years ago, she contributed to its success, helping me through the first chapters of the Charity. I could always rely on Jenny to help with the growing number of events and talks about the vital work that we undertook: nothing was ever too much trouble, and I consider her to be one of the best ambassadors we have had. Jenny is not only an excellent paramedic, but also a supportive friend and colleague."
