Ambulance service staff honoured for more than 300 years of service to the North East

John began his NEAS career on 30 January 2005 as an advanced technician and is now a paramedic based in Morpeth, where he also lives.  He reflects warmly on the many colleagues he has worked alongside over two decades - including some who are no longer here - and describes ambulance staff as “special people”.  He says the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the difference pre‑hospital care can make: “I can attend someone in horrendous pain and, by the time we reach hospital, they are smiling and much happier because of the care we can provide.”

He describes NEAS as “much busier and enormously expanded” since he joined and says receiving the medal is meaningful for both him and his family, recognising many years of dedication.

Andrea, who lives in Teesside, joined NEAS on 10 January 2005 as a trainee advanced technician, remembering early psychometric testing, residential training courses and a challenging assessment process that she laughingly describes as ‘the worst experience of my life!’

She went on to complete her paramedic training in 2007 before working across Teesside, Redcar and Hartlepool. Her passion for learning led her to complete multiple qualifications, including:

• BSc Paramedic Science top‑up
• Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
• PGDip in Advanced Paramedic Practice
• MSc in Practice Development
• University Certificate in Postgraduate Professional Development (UCPD) in International Public Health
• MBA / Senior Leadership Apprenticeship (in progress)

Her career has spanned operational and education roles, including Paramedic Clinical Education Development Officer (PCEDO), Divisional Education Lead and Clinical Care Manager, before she stepped into her current role as head of operations for the south division.

She is proud that the medal recognises commitment in a service she describes as a ‘green family’.

She says: “The variety of our role is huge. From cardiac arrests to births, ultimately when we arrive, we are here to help. We are often the problem solver, which makes the family of those with the problem so much easier. 

“I can’t imagine working elsewhere, the ‘green family’ is a special relationship, which I don’t think you can get elsewhere, and I am grateful to feel part of it.

“Through my role as head of operations, I want to be the best role model for my area, whilst remaining approachable and reliable, and want to be seen to be making the improvements for the staff and our patients. 

“I live in Teesside, where we have the most challenge for socio-economic deprivation. I want to be influential to work with partners and improve these figures.”

“One of the most important parts of my role now is to work with our partners to introduce some pathways and ensure our patients get the right care at the right time from the right people. We are no longer taking people into hospital for a check as it is for the best, we are doing everything possible to leave them at home and be managed in the community as this is in their best interest and we have the skills to safely assess and refer to the right people. I hope to continue with this work with the community services in all areas to ensure our patients are getting the best care for them.”

Andrea’s personal experiences have shaped her appreciation for the impact ambulance services have on families, not least having had two loved ones saved by the service. One of her own special memories was meeting a patient who made a full recovery following a cardiac arrest.

David started his NEAS journey in 1989 part‑time for the patient transport service at Pallion station. He now works as an advanced practitioner at Ryhope and lives in Sunderland. Both his wife and eldest son also work for the Trust.

He received a bar in recognition of his dedication to the North East public, which he says reminds him that NEAS has been part of nearly his entire adult life.

He said: “Blood, sweat and tears - I’ve just entered my 37th year and I’m still standing!”

Reflecting on the changes he’s seen, David notes the shift from ‘ambulances waiting for calls to calls waiting for ambulances’, and the evolution from a close‑knit workforce to a much larger, fast‑paced service.

He loves the variety of patient‑facing work and the satisfaction of knowing he has made a difference, adding: “There is no better feeling than leaving a patient with a thank you, knowing you have made a tiny difference to their situation at that time.”

Julie joined NEAS in January 1995 on the Gateshead doctors service and is now an emergency operations centre (EOC) delivery manager based in Newcastle.

Her special memories include managing the medical cover for Great North Run in EOC for the first time, which she describes as “hard but rewarding” and, speaking about what she loves about her job, she said: “The staff - nicest people in the world.”

She has seen great cultural change over three decades, particularly the rise of female leadership within the organisation.

Julie says the long‑service medal makes her feel “proud of my service.”

Mark, who lives in Bedlington, began his service in Blaydon in 1985, for what was then Northumbria Ambulance Service. His NEAS journey has taken him across multiple stations over the last 40 years including Washington, Gateshead, Sunderland, Wallsend, Cramlington and Blyth. He is now based at Ashington as a paramedic.

A standout memory was being entrusted to lead a team of six at the Dunhill Cup in St Andrews in the 1990s.

He reflects on the changing landscape of ambulance work from emergency care to now taking on a broader role that supports GPs, mental health and social care.

On receiving his long‑service medal and bar, he said: “It means a great deal as I’ve worked my entire life just about working for the ambulance service.”

Alex began her NEAS career in October 2004 as an advanced technician and now works as a community resuscitation and development officer.  Living in North Tyneside, she has spent two decades supporting patients, volunteers and communities, and have built strong relationships with countless community first responders (CFRs), colleagues and partners along the way.

She has many memorable moments from her time at NEAS – including delivering their first baby on a white carpet at the top of the stairs and teaching thousands of people lifesaving CPR and defibrillation skills.

Reflecting on how the service has evolved, she recalls the “dreaded boiler suits” of the early days, the Motorola messaging systems, and map books that have since been replaced by Terrafix, airwaves and modern ambulance fleets. The organisation, she notes, has transformed significantly in both technology and practice.

She adds: “The most rewarding part of my job is working with communities, schools and CFRs to improve patient outcomes and increase survival rates from cardiac arrest. I particularly love sharing the joy with our CFRs where they have attended a cardiac arrest, got the patient back, and gone on to meet them again.

“It is always nice to receive recognition but being recognised for being loyal to an organisation, for promoting all its values, is something special.”

Daren began his ambulance career in 1999 with what was then Lancashire Ambulance Service before transferring to NEAS in 2003. He progressed through several roles - from patient transport to emergency care assistant and clinical care assistant - before becoming an Ambulance Support Practitioner, the role he holds today.

Based at South Shields for the past 20 years, Daren now works part‑time following partial retirement in 2024. He lives in Sunderland and says his most special memory is meeting and later marrying his wife, who he first met while she worked as a nurse in Sunderland Royal A&E.

Daren enjoys meeting new people and values the friendships he’s built over nearly three decades of service.

Reflecting on the last 27 years, he said: “The job has changed immensely with rising patient demand and increasing case complexity. Receiving the King’s Medal means a great deal in recognition of the service I have given to the ambulance service and NHS.”

Michael began his career in September 1999 on PTS with Tees Esk and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service (TENYAS) and has worked with NEAS since the region’s ambulance services amalgamated 20 years ago this year. He is currently a qualified ambulance support practitioner (ASP) based at Redcar Ambulance Station.

One of the most memorable moments in Michael’s career was delivering his first baby in a caravan in Crimson Deen, with six relatives, the patient, and three ambulance crew members all present in a single bedroom.

Michael enjoys the variety that his job role offers—no two days are the same.  He says that the service is significantly busier now than it once was, and the types of incidents we attend continue to diversify.

He said: “Receiving the King’s Medal today and being part of this organisation is a very proud achievement for me.”