Trust honours ambulance service stalwarts

The deputy lieutenant of West Yorkshire Stanley M Hardy presented the awards at Wetherby Racecourse beside the Trust’s chief executive David Whiting and vice chairman Pat Drake.

Tributes were paid to the dedicated and caring staff from across the region –many of whom have spent much of their working lives in the ambulance service.

The accolades presented included the Queen’s long service and good conduct medal for those with 20 years’ exemplary frontline emergency service and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service 20-year long-service award for non-frontline duties.

The individuals who were honoured also included those who had reached their 30- and 40-year service milestones – as well as those retiring after many years.

David Whiting said: “These awards recognise outstanding commitment to duty and I would like to congratulate and thank each recipient for their valuable years of service.

“People think that the ambulance service is just about ambulances with blue lights, but we value the dedication of our staff who work behind the scenes just as much.

“These awards offer us a great opportunity to recognise the tremendous achievements of staff from all areas of the organisation including those working in our 999 communications centres, non-emergency transport service and within support services,” he added.

“Our staff are without doubt our greatest asset and work extremely hard to provide the very best possible care to our patients.

“Each and every one of them is a credit to our service and the public they serve.”

A wide range of ambulance memorabilia such as photos, old uniforms and equipment was on display at the event.