SECAmb staff and public gather to celebrate achievements

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) staff, members of the public and ambulance service volunteers were all recognised at the second of the Trust’s annual awards ceremonies.

The ceremony, for the east of SECAmb’s region, was held last week, (Thursday 13 March) at The Orangery, Turkey Mill, Maidstone, Kent.

Staff were presented with Queen’s Medals for Long Service and Good Contact by the Deputy Lieutenant for Kent, Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven, while staff were also recognised for 20, 30 and 40 years NHS service.

There were also Chief Executive Commendation awards for clinical excellence, bravery, going above and beyond the call of duty, leadership and outstanding patient care.

Isle of Sheppey student Rachael Fagg received a Chief Executive Commendation in recognition of her quick thinking and actions when she came to the aid of her neighbour Pamela Parker who was struggling to breathe after choking on some food. The 17-year-old acted swiftly to recognise the problem, dislodge what turned out to be a piece of chicken, and dial 999.

The Team of the Year award was this year awarded to all staff involved in the Trust’s response to the huge Sheppey crossing road traffic collision which took place in September. SECAmb’s control room teams worked efficiently in dispatching more than 30 vehicles to the scene. SECAmb’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) worked closely with fellow ambulance clinicians and other emergency services in what was an extremely challenging incident.

While 35 people were treated and then taken to hospital by SECAmb crews, a further 200 were able to be assessed, treated and discharged at the scene by SECAmb crews including its Paramedic Practitioners.

Royal Humane Society Awards were also presented to Ambulance Technician Ash Fairs from Hastings and Ashford Ambulance Technicians Frankie Ward and Angus Drew. The trio also received commendations for going above and beyond the call of duty for their actions.

SECAmb Chief Executive Paul Sutton said: “It’s always a pleasure to attend our annual awards ceremonies. I’m extremely proud of the commitment, level of clinical skill and compassion shown by all our staff. The awards winners highlighted each year represent just a small percentage of the amazing work which goes on at SECAmb all year round. It was also great to present a public commendation. The actions and quick thinking of members of the community are so often vital to ensure our crews are able to give our patient the best possible chance of survival.”

Chief Executive Commendations

Clinical Excellence – James Allen, Paramedic, Paddock Wood – for his work exploring patient care and the management of SECAmb patients who present with fractured neck of femur.

Clinical Excellence – Ambulance Technician, Laura Wilkinson, Burgess Hill – for her actions and calm professionalism in treating a baby who was unresponsive.

Bravery – Ambulance Technician, Andrew Harvey, Paddock Wood – for his swift actions in coming to the aid of a young man suspected of attempting to take his own life by inhaling car exhaust fumes.

Bravery – Paramedic, Gary Criddle, Hailsham – For his actions in calming down and disarming a man who brandished a pistol after Gary stopped to assist him.

Above and Beyond the call of duty, Paramedic and Ambulance Technician Danny Edwards and Phil Woods – Medway – For their valiant attempts to save the life a man who had been found at the bottom of a swimming pool.

Above and Beyond the call of duty (and Royal Humane Society Award) – Ambulance Technicians Frankie Ward and Angus Drew, Ashford – For their quick thinking and actions in saving the life of a man who’s van caught fire on the A2070 in April last year.

Above and Beyond the call of duty (and Royal Humane Society Award) – Ash Fairs, Hastings – For his actions in entering the sea off the coast of St Leonards after a young man had got into difficulty on some rocks in rising waters.

Leadership – Paramedic and Ambulance Technician Katie Dusart and Caroline Flack, Eastbourne – For the role they played in identifying issues and concerns which needed addressing at a care home.

Outstanding patient care – Emergency Medical Advisor, Karly Constable, Coxheath – For her calmness and skill in providing advice over the phone with two paediatric resuscitations in the space of two hours.

Public commendations – Student, Rachael Fagg, Isle of Sheppey – for her quick thinking and actions when she came to the aid of her neighbour Pamela Parker who was struggling to breathe after choking on some food.

Employee of the year (highly commended) – NHS111 health advisor, Jemma Roberts, Ashford – for her commitment, enthusiasm and achievements over the past year working in SECAmb’s 111 call centre in Ashford.

Team of the year – Sheppey Crossing road traffic collision – To all ambulance staff involved in SECAmb’s response to the huge multi-vehicle road traffic collision on the Sheppey crossing in September.

Queen’s Ambulance Service medals for Long Service & Good conduct were presented to:

Tim Aldrich - Uckfield

Nick Best – Tonbridge

Steve Bingham – Ashford

Michael Cook – Herne Bay

Adrian Dry – Brighton

Alison Earl – Thanet

Paul Flower – Thameside

Catheryn Gibson – Ashford

Lynda Hall – Sevenoaks and Cranbrook

Claire Hogan – Coxheath

Timothy Martin – Herne Bay

Louise Massen – Thameside

Theresa McDonagh – Ashford

Kevin McSweeney – Canterbury

Adrian Measday – Canterbury

Lee Oldridge – Hastings

David Taylor – Ashford

Lee Warwick – Ashford

Ewald Withers – Thanet

20 years NHS Long Service medals (for staff not eligible to receive Queen’s Medal)

Mark Tappenden – Coxheath

Tracy Boyd – Burgess Hill

30 years NHS Long Service medals:

Michael Cook – Herne Bay

Clive Goddard – Ashford

Kevin Sanchez - Sittingbourne

Jeremy Smith - Heathfield

40 years NHS Long Service medals

Derek Emery – Brighton (retired)

Michael Cott – Maidstone