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Patient Tranport Service award winner

This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated a clear commitment to delivering compassionate care to patients and their families in a patient transport setting. 

Ambulance care assistant Donald is described by his colleagues in Wideopen as an inspiration.

Don is a well-known face at NEAS having worked for the service for the past 46 years – first on A&E and now at the PTS service.

Don’s dedication is unquestionable. He hasn’t been off sick for 14 years! And every morning Don starts work an hour early to ensure his colleague’s vehicles are ready and working for them. Just one example of the many extra things he does without being asked.

For the last few years, Don has predominantly worked on the Castleside day unit for elderly patients with mental health and his care and compassion when dealing with these patients is witnessed regularly by colleagues. 

According to one colleague, once you meet Don you won’t forget him. His reliability and ability to forge strong working relationships with both his colleagues and staff at the day unit is acknowledged as helping to contribute towards NEAS winning the Castleside day unit contract for a further two years.

Don has also used his considerable experience of working in A&E and dealing with emergency situations on numerous occasions when stopping to help at several road traffic accidents.

In the words of one colleague: “Don is a kind, caring person who really deserves recognition for all he has achieved in the last 46 years. I hope one day I can say I’ve had the same dedication to service.”