EMAS Awards

Nine winners have been crowned at an awards ceremony, which aimed to recognise ambulance service staff and volunteers who are the pride of the NHS at East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust’s (EMAS) first ever ‘Values and Recognition Awards’ held last month.

More than 120 nominations were received for the awards which singled-out those who exemplify EMAS’ values including teamwork, integrity and respect. Winners and those highly commended included Nottingham’s Bob Street (59) of Beeston, who has dedicated nearly 40 years to the service and was described as ‘one in a million’ by colleagues; EMAS Events Manager Clifford Ward (64) of Hinckley, who fully immerses himself in all things EMAS providing operational cover when normal resources are under pressure; Chesterfield Emergency Care Practitioner Tim Evans (43) who was first on scene to a house fire and dragged a patient to safety - then later that day attended a major road traffic accident where his skills allowed him to stitch minor wounds by the roadside; Leicestershire paramedic and EMAS’ Locality Manager Michael Jones who was credited with helping to improve his division’s performance; Leicestershire team Rachel Makins (33) and John Rushin (63) for going above and beyond what would be expected of them to ensure that a new scheme which provides certain patients with transport to A&E in a vehicle other than a frontline ambulance, is fully utilized and makes a difference and volunteer Marcus Hacker who founded and coordinates a community first responder group in St Giles, Lincoln.

The awards were open to all of EMAS’ clinical staff and the nonclinical teams who support frontline staff. The Willetts Award was given to a Leicestershire ambulance crew made up of Tony Barber (44), an emergency medical technician and Dan Sneath (29) paramedic, both from Melton Mowbray. This award, in memory of Nottingham soldier Michael Willetts, recognises bravery above and beyond the call of duty. It was given to the pair after they attended a serious assault.

They arrived on scene before Police yet made the decision to proceed because they feared the victim was seriously injured. Inside the property they found a patient with multiple stab wounds and another person who was armed with a knife. They managed to persuade that individual to put down the weapon and wait for the Police.

Despite difficult circumstances the pair gave all the treatment they could. Sadly, they were unable to save the patient who later died. The men received a standing ovation when they went up to collect the award. Former Eastenders-star Dean Gaffney presented the Willetts

Award and was also reunited with the EMAS crew who came to his aid when he was injured in a car accident in Derby earlier this year. The evening saw the introduction of an award to recognise the special contribution of EMAS’ volunteers, who support clinicians by acting as community first responders across the region.

The Paul Richard Basford Award for Volunteers was sponsored by the family of Paul Basford, who died in a tragic road-accident in Nottinghamshire in 2001. Family and friends have fundraised in Paul’s memory for many years, including buying defibrillators for EMAS.

Marcus Hacker, from Lincoln was the first winner of the trophy, in recognition of his work setting up a community first responder scheme for Lincoln’s St Giles’ estate. EMAS’ chairman Jon Towler hosted the evening, which also saw 45 Long Service Awards being presented to staff who have been with EMAS for 20 years or more.

EMAS’ Chairman, Jon Towler, said: “I’m proud of the 122 people and teams who were nominated for awards and know that they represent the commitment and professionalism of EMAS as a whole.”