Leading with care - How Lee Became 'Ambassador of the Year' for inspiring future paramedics in Suffolk.
Lee won the 'Ambassador of the Year' award at the Suffolk Care Awards for his role as a paramedic in West Suffolk with the East of England Ambulance Service. He was nominated for his exceptional ability to inspire the next generation and promote the ambulance service as a preferred career choice.
Lee has conducted numerous inspirational talks in Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds, and online for 'Let's Talk.' This is a voluntary role, and he often travels across Suffolk in his spare time to lead these sessions.
“His enthusiasm for his role is infectious, and his extensive knowledge enables him to effectively motivate others. Feedback from students and their families has been overwhelmingly positive, praising Lee's engaging sessions and his dynamic demonstrations.” Wrote his colleagues.
Here, we discuss with Lee his work and what receiving this award means to him.
Lee, could you describe your work as a paramedic?
Certainly! I serve as a paramedic with the East of England Ambulance Service and am based in Suffolk. My days are diverse and dynamic, I often work with a colleague on a double-staffed ambulance where we alternate roles during our 12-hour shifts, or I work solo on a first response vehicle. The nature of the job is attending emergency calls which means every day offers different challenges— whether that be treating a patient with breathing difficulties or chest pain, or those in mental health crisis and need urgent support.
There are two main routes to become a paramedic: one is the apprenticeship pathway, which is a two-year programme available internally for staff members, like I did, transitioning from a technician role. It's a comprehensive, hands-on experience, working closely with experienced paramedics. The second route is a 3-year university degree programme which incorporates study in a classroom and then putting skills to the test on clinical placements under the supervision of a senior clinician. Either pathway allows you to register as a qualified paramedic.
I also enjoy representing the ambulance service at events, where I have the opportunity to meet both adults and children face-to-face at career fairs or through webinars. This role involves assisting individuals in making informed career decisions and teaching basic first aid.
It's a tough job and every day must be a challenge, how do you deal with it?
Dealing with the intensity of the job, especially on days with fatalities, requires a strong support system. We have immediate 'hot debriefs' where the team, including senior colleagues and managers, discuss the events thoroughly. This helps us process the incidents and provides an opportunity for support. We also have resources dedicated to our wellbeing, occupational health teams and TRiM (Trauma Risk Management) practitioners who assess and assist if we're struggling.
On a personal level, maintaining resilience is key. This includes looking after my physical and mental health through fitness, a healthy diet, and getting sufficient rest. Equally important is tapping into my personal support network, turning to colleagues, friends and family for emotional support.
You must have felt honoured to be nominated by your colleagues Lisa and Tanya for the Suffolk Care Awards
Receiving the nomination of ‘Ambassadors of the Year’ by my Care Development East colleagues was amazing! It's always rewarding to be recognised, and it feels particularly special when that recognition comes from those I work alongside.
How did it feel when you were announced as the winner of ‘Ambassador of the Year?
Just being present among so many remarkable individuals dedicated to health and social care was a privilege in itself. Witnessing the extraordinary efforts of others was inspiring, and being recognised among such company was incredible. I felt it not only celebrated the work we do in the ambulance service, but also the appreciation and trust placed in me by my colleagues and the wider community. The award was a reminder of the impact you can have in the lives of others and underlined the importance of our job in the healthcare community.
What issues do you think are facing the care sector currently?
On a broader scale, a significant challenge for healthcare is ensuring timely and appropriate care. The UK has an aging population, as people live longer, they often face more chronic conditions, leading to health exacerbations. This is one contributing factor to the additional pressure on the system and the increased demand for healthcare services.
From a paramedic's perspective, this has opened new and innovative ways of working such as paramedics gaining additional medical qualifications such as prescribing, to be able to work in new environments such as GP surgeries and hospitals.
What advice would you give to aspiring paramedics?
If you're drawn to helping others and up for a challenge, consider becoming a paramedic. You’ll need to be prepared for tough situations, but the satisfaction of supporting people in critical times can be deeply rewarding. It’s important to be ready for continuous learning and to have the resilience to handle the emotional and physical demands of the job. It's a demanding career but fulfilling, offering the chance to make a real difference every day.