Sheffield Ambulance Service head honoured by the Queen

Alan joined Sheffield Ambulance Service in 1972 and spent 20 years working in Sheffield, based at both Corporation Street and Middlewood ambulance stations.

He was involved in taking the lead in the very early development of paramedic and trauma training at South Yorkshire Ambulance Service and also played a significant part in the UK-wide development of the computerisation of ambulance control room systems which we have in operation today.

Appointed to Training Manager in 1998, he worked with local A&E consultants on pioneering new protocols for neonatal and paediatric clinical procedures for paramedics. In addition, he was also a partner governor at Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, being a key player in the implementation of the Embrace transport team which provides a highly specialist service for critically ill neonatal and paediatric patients in Yorkshire and the Humber 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Alan’s drive and enthusiasm for clinical excellence ensured that South Yorkshire Ambulance Service was at the forefront of paramedic training on a national basis. In 2002 he led on the development of the UK’s first ‘paramedic degree courses’ at both the University of Sheffield and then Sheffield Hallam University which continues to take 40 new student paramedics each year.

Following a two-year period in Fleet as Assistant Director where he was instrumental in the development of ambulance vehicle design, Alan moved back into A&E Operations as Associate Director of Operations in West Yorkshire before returning to his roots in South Yorkshire in 2009.

Rod Barnes, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “This is a great honour which recognises Alan’s many years of dedicated service and makes him part of a very small, select group of ambulance personnel who have shown exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit and conduct in their roles.

“Alan’s operational and managerial expertise has won him much support and respect over the years and on behalf of the Trust I would like to thank him for all he has done and continues to do. This is a fantastic achievement of which he should be very proud.”

Alan will be presented with his medal at Buckingham Palace later in the year.