THREE paramedics from Coventry were honoured at a West Midlands Ambulance celebration evening to recognise those who go above and beyond to care for others.
Paul Clarke and Courtney Hewison received the Chief Officer’s Commendation while Jan Vann picked up an Outstanding Achievement award following various TV appearances.
Over 100 awards were handed out on the night as part of the Trust’s annual Long Service and Excellence Awards ceremony.
Taking place on Thursday (March 30th), the event was held at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierely Hill and welcomed both volunteers and members of the public.
Paul, an advanced paramedic, and Courtney, a student paramedic, were recognised after witnessing a car weave across the M6 – colliding with a number of barriers.
Though they initially managed to stop the car on the hard shoulder, as they approached the driver sped off.
Crew members followed and managed to run a rolling roadblock behind the car as it continued to glance off barriers for over two miles before it crashed for a final time.
The crew alerted the call centre, activated CCTV on the ambulance and gave a comprehensive commentary on what was happening.
Once the car had come to a stop they rapidly assessed the patient who was having a diabetic hypoglycaemic attack and treated him accordingly whilst considering he may have other injuries from the crash.
Had it not been for their quick actions in setting up a rolling roadblock there may have been many other innocent motorists caught up in collision with the gentleman’s car as it careered around the carriageway.
Meanwhile Jan Vann – an advanced paramedic also from Coventry – received recognition for her part in the BAFTA Award winning Children’s TV show, Operation Ouch.
The programme finished its fourth series with Jan being featured in every single episode, highlighting to children what paramedics do every single day as she is followed by a camera crew.
It is the most watched TV programme on children’s BBC and she has even featured in a ‘Puberty special’ aimed at older children.
Maverick TV put together the programme in conjunction with the Trust’s press office.
It is the only TV programme the Trust has been involved with that is aimed at children and is the only BAFTA award winning show the Trust has been involved with.
As well as the three awards for the hard working Coventry staff, the night also celebrated 12 operational members of staff from across the region who became eligible for their 20 year Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Twelve others were commended for 25 years service, ten for 30 years of service and one member of staff for a massive 35 years at the Trust while three were commended their 40 years service.
Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “There is only one ambulance service that has achieved an outstanding rating from the CQC and that is our ambulance service.
“That is down to the hard work of every member of staff who shows incredible dedication to providing the very highest level of patient care, something for which I am truly grateful.
“I am immensely proud of the work that you all do, often in very difficult circumstances, and I want to thank you all for making us the best ambulance service in the country.”
