Welsh Ambulance Service celebrates its heroes at fourth annual Staff Awards

THE Welsh Ambulance Service honoured its staff and volunteers at its fourth annual Staff Awards ceremony this week (Wednesday 09 October 2019).

More than 300 guests gathered at Cardiff City Hall to celebrate the contributions of long-serving staff, as well as the winners of category awards, including the new Team of the Year Award and Welsh Language Award.

In the ceremony hosted by Welsh tenor Wynne Evans, the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Mrs Morfudd Meredith, presented Her Majesty the Queen’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medals as well as the awards for 20, 30 and 40 years of service.

Fifteen category awards were also presented to staff, volunteers and members of the public in recognition of their outstanding work.

Close to 200 nominations were received for this year’s category awards, and 11,000 votes were cast on finalists.

The winners

Gail Williams Award for Clinical and Operational Excellence – Stephen Banks and Will McFarland

For managing to successfully control an extremely complex and severe groin haemorrhage saving the patient’s life.

Dr Jennifer Bucknell Community First Responder Award – Rosalind Hemmings

A volunteer for more than 15 years, Rosalind has become the role model in her community.

Welsh Language Award – Llinos Jones

For volunteering to develop and deliver a clinical teaching session in the Welsh language in her own time.

Great Listener Award – Dylan Lewis

For being an exceptional communicator who dedicates time to listen to people, boosting the morale of his team.

Inspiring Others Award – sponsored by GMB – Jason Sadler

For inspiring others through his exceptional training, promoting teamwork and adapting to his audience.

Learning and Innovation Award – sponsored by Swansea University (College of Human and Health Sciences) – Georgina Passmore

For undertaking a unique piece of work on pressure-related injuries, creating e-learning and raising awareness.

Clinical Contact Centre Award – Ashley Page

A call handler and Community First Responder, Ashley raises awareness in schools and has successfully handled very difficult calls.

Emergency Medical Services Award – Ashley Whittaker and Catherine O’Connor

For improving the experience of end-of-life care patients.

NEPTS Award – Aaron Evans

For his exceptional leadership and invaluable role played in transferring work for Hwyel Dda University Health Board.

Support Services Award – Anna Mills

For being a valuable colleague and hugely influential dementia champion.

Team of the Year Award – Sponsored by Lawray Architects – Tony Crandon and the Make Ready Depot Team

Though not visible, the huge contribution to the Welsh Ambulance Service of this incredibly friendly team has been invaluable.

Public Recognition Award – Daisy Bamsey
For displaying an incredible act of bravery attempting to help a person in a house fire.

People’s Choice Award – Gino Matrella

For making a difference by providing an outstanding level of care to a patient with dementia and her family.

Chair’s Award – Cardiff Street Pastors

These are volunteers who work tirelessly to provide help, without judgement, to people in the streets of Cardiff.

Chief Executive’s Award – Rory Robinson

Every year, Rory enables over 1,400 children to learn life-saving skills through the Pembrokeshire Crucial Crew initiative.

Jason Killens, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Chief Executive, said: “In an organisation such as ours, there are so many people giving their best all year-round, doing incredible things.

“This was their night, the time for hard-earned acknowledgment, even though none of them do what they do to receive an award.

“We are surrounded by selfless, dedicated people, and hosting this ceremony was the least we could do to recognise their achievements.”

Chair Martin Woodford added: “These awards must be among the best ever so far.

“The level of emotion was certainly at its highest and it really was a special moment to see all these outstanding people receiving the recognition they deserve.

“If it were up to me I would give an award to all the finalists; the judging panel must have had an incredibly hard job.

“Well done to all awardees.”

The Trust would like to thank its main sponsor Ortus as well as category sponsors, GMB, Lawray Architects, Swansea University’s College of Human and Health Sciences and Ridler Webster.