Three North East Ambulance Service staff members have received a medal on behalf of His Majesty the King, for their long and committed service to the people of the North East.
Ruth Mills, Alun Ross and Philip Blance were awarded the medals on Monday 03 August, having completed a combined 70 years at NEAS.
Issued under Royal Warrant, the medals honour ambulance personnel who have completed 20, 30 or 40 years of service in emergency care, including emergency operations centre staff and others who make a direct impact on patient care.
Read on below to learn about Ruth, Alun and Philip's NEAS journey so far.
Ruth Mills
Ruth started working at NEAS in 2002 as part of our Patient Transport Service. Between then and now, Ruth has worked as a paramedic and a clinical operation manager among others, becoming locality manager in 2022. She reflects on her career and this recognition below:
"I attended high school in Haydon Bridge, where we boarded due to the distance from our home in Otterburn. Whilst I was in sixth form, an ambulance crew attended on a careers day and I knew this was the role I wanted to pursue. However, opportunities to enter the profession were limited at that time, so I began working within community services for Northumbria Healthcare in 1998.
"I joined NEAS in 2002 onto the Patient Transport Service (PTS) before progressing onto emergency care in 2005. Over the years, I have worked across much of the Northumberland and North Tyne region.
"One of my earliest leadership roles was as an emergency care clinical manager (ECCM), working part time as a community paramedic in Rothbury and part time as an ECCM in Pallion. They could not have been two more contrasting areas, but both provided invaluable experience.
"Reflecting on my career, one of the changes I am most proud of was introducing the Berwick community paramedic role. I was initially asked to develop a six-week trial for an extra resource in Berwick. We got this extended a number of times before eventually gaining the funding for this to be permanent with the support to train up to be first contact practitioners. It has been amazing for the area, helping to break down barriers between primary and secondary care while improving patient care and response times. Looking back at the early days of my career, the service has evolved considerably.
"When I started on PTS, it gave you the knowledge and understanding of the service, the areas we covered, how to interact with patients, and insight into the different roles within the organisation. From there, you decided whether you wanted to progress further. When I started in A&E, we would average 10 to 15 jobs a day. There is much more legislation and regulation to navigate now than there was then.
"Despite the many changes throughout the years, the most rewarding aspect of the role has remained the same.
"Being operational was the best part of the job. It was about making a difference wherever you went.
"Today, I live and work in Alnwick once again and feel fortunate to be part of an outstanding team. I love my role and the area I cover. I can honestly say I have a fantastic team. Everyone knows they are a cog that helps the big wheel turn.
"As I mark this milestone, receiving recognition for my service is a proud moment. Although I think everyone in NEAS should receive a medal recognising the year they started, I am very pleased to be receiving my 20-year medal."
Alun Ross
Alun began working in North East Ambulance Service in 2005 as a trainee advanced technician. Today, Alun is the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and Resilience Manager.
"The Covid-19 pandemic is my most significant memory From vaccination clinics, testing sites and finding how to maintain as much business as usual with all the changes.
"Operations wise, my most memorable moment would be being stopped in the supermarket by a man with his grandson. We had attended to him previously. He thanked me and said the consultant had told him he owed us his survival.
"Having moved from frontline, I still feel happy that I can contribute to patient care by enabling clinicians to perform their role as best they can.
"The main difference I have noticed between NEAS at the start of my journey and now, is that has been an increase in specialisms, such as HART and also the higher education entrants into paramedic roles.
“I'm happy to receive this medal and it has given me a great chance to reflect on different roles and my own journey up to this point.”
Philip Blance
Phil joined NEAS on 11 December 2000, beginning his career within the Patient Transport Service.
"In 2005, I progressed onto accident and emergency as an emergency care assistant, before qualifying as a paramedic in 2009. Following qualification, I continued to develop through a variety of operational and leadership roles. I became a team leader at Gateshead ambulance station and then progressed to emergency clinical care manager at Hebburn station, operations manager in central division and subsequently clinical operations manager in the south division. I later moved into the EPRR/HART department, where I worked as a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) training manager and national inter-agency liaison officer. This role provided extensive experience in emergency preparedness, multi-agency collaboration, and specialist operational response. In October 2025, I returned to operational service delivery and took up my current position as locality manager, where I continue to support frontline services, staff development, and the delivery of high-quality patient care.
"One of my proudest memories during my time with the North East Ambulance Service was representing the trust as part of the civilian services contingent at the National Service of Remembrance in London on 10 November 2024. It was a tremendous honour and privilege to stand alongside members of the Armed Forces and other uniformed services at such a significant national event. Being part of the parade at the Cenotaph was a truly memorable experience and a moment of great pride, both personally and professionally. It was a unique opportunity to represent the dedication and commitment of NEAS staff on a national stage and to pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our country.
"Throughout my career, I have seen the organisation continue to adapt and innovate to meet the changing needs of patients and communities, while maintaining the dedication and commitment that has always been at the heart of the ambulance service. It has been a privilege to witness and contribute to that journey over the past 25 years.
"Receiving this medal is a tremendous honour and a proud milestone in my career. It represents 25 years of service, dedication, and commitment to the ambulance service and the patients, colleagues, and communities I have had the privilege to serve. Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of roles and have witnessed many changes within the organisation. This medal is not only recognition of my personal journey but also reflects the support, teamwork, and friendships I have experienced along the way. It gives me an opportunity to look back on the challenges, achievements, and memorable moments that have shaped my career. Above all, it makes me proud to have been part of such a dedicated profession and to have contributed to providing care and support to people across the North East for the past 25 years.”
