Gateshead paramedic wins national award for outstanding service

The Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF) awards took place on 11 March 2025 in Leeds where ambulance services across the country came together to celebrate individuals for outstanding service or exceptional contribution.

Jayne joined NEAS in April 1996 when she was 21, where she started on the patient transport service and then went on to qualify as a paramedic in July 2003. She was nominated by a paramedic apprentice for her ‘outstanding service as a paramedic’ and was chosen to represent NEAS in the awards this year after winning the compassionate care awards at the NEAS staff awards in 2024.

Jayne said: “My grandmother and father both work in the NHS so I always knew I would follow in their footsteps. I chose to be a paramedic due to the diversity it offered, there is something different every job.”

“I’ve served the public for 29 years and I can honestly say it’s still the best job in the world, making a difference to someone, whether it be due to our trained skills, drugs we administer or just by simply talking to them at their time of need is a feeling that makes me keep doing the job to the best of my ability.”

The nomination said: “Jayne was dispatched to a regular caller who had been unwell for some time and unable to care for themselves. Jayne’s compassion meant the patient felt cared for, reassured, and was able to regain some dignity. Despite being held in a handover queue at hospital for several hours, the patient’s mood was lifted by Jayne so that she was able to laugh and joke.

“Jayne spent time putting referrals in place to support the patient.

“The student paramedic working with Jayne has spoken about the impact her compassion had on his own professional practice. It didn’t matter to Jayne how many times she had met this patient previously – she still gave her the same level of compassion and care as she would anyone else.

“Although the patient later died, it was clear she had been given the best possible care by Jayne in her final hours.”

Jayne added: “She said: “At first, it was so overwhelming to be nominated for at our staff awards last year but an incredible feeling to win it but to then go onto winning a national award has made me so immensely proud.

“I had attended this regular caller many times before. She could be a bit fiery and wouldn't always engage with our crews, but I managed to form a good rapport with her over the years.

“The job I last attended for her I found her in a terrible state, she had no fight left in her and I witnessed her cry for the first time. She came to hospital with us, and we sat with her for hours waiting to handover as the hospital was extremely busy. She opened up to us about her life and we talked about lots of other things, she could laugh again. Sadly, she passed away the next day.”

Deputy chief operating officer, Victoria Court said: “The support that Jayne gave to her patient in her final hours was incredible. She went above and beyond to find help support from outside agencies to ensure her patient was well looked after. She deserves this recognition. 

“Instances like this shows patient care is the front and centre of what we do. On behalf of the Board, a big thank you to Jayne for her hard work and dedication.”

The ALF awards recognised 15 individuals from across the country for outstanding service or exceptional contribution in their organisation.

These are awards are hosted by AACE, who provide the UK’s statutory ambulance services with an organisation that can support them in the implementation of nationally agreed policy.

Read more about the ALF awards on the AACE website: https://aace.org.uk/alf-event/awards-2025/