North East Ambulance Service colleagues from Northumberland recognised for their service
North East Ambulance Service colleagues from Northumberland were among the recipients at the latest Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct ceremony.
Medals are awarded for 20 years of service, with bars then awarded to those reaching 30 and 40 years. On this occasion, they were presented by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Robin Brims, on behalf of His Majesty the King.
Paramedic Jill Harries (20 years) joined the ambulance services as an advanced technician in 2005.
Reflecting on her career, she said the most noticeable difference has been the increased demand on the service, with rising patient numbers and increased case complexity.
Jill, who lives and works in Cramlington, added: “The thing I love most about my job is being able to make a difference. When most people call 999, it can be the most frightening moment in their lives. When we arrive, you can hear and often see the relief on their faces as they put their trust in us.
“Receiving this medal is a proud moment for me and my family.”
Bryan Hesp (30 years) joined what was then Northumbria Ambulance Service in 1990 before undertaking his technician training and eventually his paramedic training.
As well as supporting patients in the North East, his career took him briefly to Scottish Ambulance Service where he worked on the Isle of Skye.
Bryan, who lives in Morpeth, is now an ambulance support practitioner based in Amble.
Craig McPhail (20 years), who lives in Blyth, joined the ambulance service as a call handler in 2004 before moving into the dispatch team.
He is now a critical care dispatcher, based at the service’s emergency operations centre in Newcastle, responsible for ensuring the most critically unwell patients receive an appropriate ambulance response and care quickly.
Paramedic Dougy Ternant (20 years) lives in Blyth, where he has also been stationed for the last 15 years.
Stand out memories for him include delivering a number of babies and taking part in a BBC documentary about binge drinking.
Reflecting on his career, he noted the increased demand on the service over the years and changing expectations of the public.
Peter Robson (20 years), who is based at Hexham, joined in 2005 as an advanced technician and qualified as a paramedic four years later.