14 Feb 2023

Frontline ambulance workers receive recognition for their contribution to the ambulance service

Eleven colleagues from the North East Ambulance Service were presented with the Queen’s Medal at a ceremony at the organisation’s headquarters in Newburn, recognising a combined 247 years of service between them.

The Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal goes to frontline emergency care employees for their dedication to their roles. The medal is given to ambulance staff who have been in frontline emergency care services for more than 20 years, or seven years in frontline emergency care and 13 years in emergency care management.

The medals are issued under Royal Warrant and this year’s is known as the Queen’s Medal as it is for those who completed their service during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

Chief executive Helen Ray said: “I am incredibly proud of our colleagues who have dedicated so many years of service.

“The past few years have been a particularly challenging time for the ambulance service but it is the hard work and commitment of colleagues such as these who have ensured we have kept going. I see it as a privilege to work alongside such caring people who are unwavering in their dedication to patient care.

“I would like to thank each and every one of them for all that they do.”

Chief operating officer Stephen Segasby said: “We are honoured to mark the outstanding contribution our teams have made to the North East. I’m so proud of all of our colleagues and the work they do, especially during challenging times.

“For many, this isn’t just a job, it’s a vocation and it’s a privilege to see the incredible work they have done and will continue to do. They are an asset to the organisation.”

The Queen's Medal is a richly deserved honour for the men and women from NEAS who have worked on the frontline.

Notes to editors

Ivan Doherty

Ivan started his career in 1994 at the North Yorkshire Ambulance Service. He has worked in Northallerton, Richmond and Redcar, before retiring last year. He said the best part of his career is working alongside some great people. A former colleague described him as “the nicest person you could wish to meet, a true gentleman”.

Chris Chalmers

Chris started with the Scottish Ambulance Service in 2002 before transferring to the North East Ambulance Service. He was based in Berwick before moving to Wooler to become a community paramedic in 2015. In 2017, he worked in Bishop Auckland as an emergency care clinical manager. He gradually made his way back north, working in Backworth and then Alnwick. In 2021, he was successful in applying for the role of clinical operations manager which led to his current role as locality manager looking after the North Northumberland Alnwick locality. For Chris, a stand-out moment of his career is being involved in getting Berwick community paramedics access and training to do X-ray requests. He went to the first mobile X-ray at a patient’s home which was the first in the country and has greatly improved patient experience.

Karen Caygill

Karen joined the North East Ambulance Service in 2001 as an advanced technician. She has worked at Seaham, Ryhope and Peterlee ambulance stations. Karen’s managers said: Although she gets her fair share of bad jobs, Karen’s one of those people who comes in day in, day out, and gets the job done. She’s a lovely person and a pleasure to work with.”

Graham Ford

Graham joined the ambulance service in 1997. He started work in the Patient Transport Service before becoming an advanced technician. He became a paramedic in 2004. He has worked at Pallion and Fulwell stations, as well as the rapid response vehicle at South Shields. In 2010, he joined the Hazardous Area Response Team and has worked there ever since.

Paul Younger

Paul started working for the ambulance service in 2002. He has worked across many areas including Wallsend, Blucher and Morpeth. His proudest moment was becoming the first paramedic prescriber in the Trust. His colleagues have described him as forward-thinking and dynamic.

Lynne Gilhome

Lynne started in 2005, working in the Patient Transport Service. She progressed to the role of emergency care paramedic and climbed Kilimanjaro to celebrate her achievement. Lynne says there are many stand-out moments from her career. She remembers just two weeks after passing the advanced technician course, her first resuscitation was on a six-week-old baby who survived.

Stephen Emms

Stephen started work as a paramedic in 2000 at Gateshead station, before coming a team leader at both Pallion and Hebburn. Stephen later became an emergency care clinical manager before returning to the role of paramedic in 2015 at Hebburn. He is currently based out of Russell House. His stand-out moment is being team leader at Monkton Training Station assisting colleagues onto the paramedic register.

Alan Coleman

Alan began working as a paramedic in 2000. Alan worked in various stations around the north and did a short spell working as a patient support clinician before returning to Backworth until he retired in August 2022. Alan is an advocate for mental health and created the Thin Green Line Breakfast Club for staff. He also played a leading part in the development of rapid response paramedics at NEAS.

Melanie Thompson

Melanie started work as an ambulance technician in June 2000 based at Wideopen before qualifying as a paramedic in 2007. In 2014 she moved to Wallsend and has worked there ever since. Described as approachable and kind, colleagues say Melanie has a great sense of humour.

Sharon Cooke

Sharon began her career in 1998 in Hartlepool. She has seen several mergers of services, from Cleveland Ambulance to Tees, East & North Yorkshire, to North East Ambulance Service. In 2009, she became a team leader and has progressed to the role of clinical team leader. Sharon suffered a stroke in 2014 and didn’t imagine a future for herself at NEAS. She said the Trust were tremendous in supporting her return to work. She said she feels very fortunate for her recovery and to be in her role as team leader.

Helen Morris

Helen began working as a paramedic team leader in Bishop Auckland in 1999, before transferring to Seaham. In 2008 Helen took on the role of practice placement facilitator and then clinical trainer before moving to Chester le Street in 2010. In 2021 Helen began working in the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) as a clinician. Outside of work Helen is passionate about helping her local community. She has even gone to Africa alongside presenter and activist Katie Piper to help burns victims.

Photo: North East Ambulance Service medal recipients with chief executive Helen Ray and chief operating officer Stephen Segasby.