International Paramedics Day: SWASFT celebrates its thousands of 'dedicated' staff
Today (8 July) marks International Paramedics Day
Last updated 8th Jul 2024
Today (July 8th) marks International Paramedics Day - a moment every year dedicated to acknowledging the commitment and dedication of the health staff who look after us 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
This year's theme is 'The Difference We Make', giving us all a chance to show thanks for the contribution that paramedics, first responders and community volunteers make every day from responding to life threatening emergencies to providing care and comfort to patients in their hour of need.
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) are of course marking the day by celebrating, too, the 2,000 plus paramedics who deliver dedicated patient care to communities across the South West.
Each year, paramedics, and other frontline clinicians and support staff from SWASFT:
- Manage around one million incidents across the south west
- Travel over 22 million miles
- Have access to over 670 vehicles, including ambulances and rapid response vehicles
- Are supported by 600 plus volunteers, including Community First Responders and doctors
- Work out of over 130 sites, including two Emergency Operation Centres and 96 ambulance stations
'Our role is crucial'
Neil Lentern, Director of Paramedic Practice at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and also a paramedic, said: “As paramedics, we are often the first point of contact for those in need of urgent medical care. Our role is critical, not only in providing immediate life-saving interventions, but also in offering reassurance and compassion during some of the most challenging moments in people’s lives.
“In line with the theme for this year, ‘The Difference We Make’, I see and know the difference that our paramedics make every day, as a dedicated team delivering compassionate patient care as well as looking out for each other.
“On International Paramedics Day, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each member of our team at the South Western Ambulance Service and to paramedics across the world. Your dedication, skill, and compassion are truly inspiring."
On International Paramedics Day, Newly Qualified Paramedic, Ann-Marie Bryant, said: “The role of a paramedic is sometimes challenging, it involves problem solving and working with some amazing teams.
“We all say that we do the job for the patients and that’s what it’s all about. You can be with someone through the worst day of their life or equally the best and that is an honour.”