Dedicated paramedics have been thanked for their loyalty and commitment at an awards ceremony.
Forty nine North East Ambulance Service staff had their efforts recognised by Nigel Sherlock, the Lord Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear.
Joe Woodcock, who works from Pallion Station in Sunderland, was one of the recipients at the bash held at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum on Tuesday.
The rapid response paramedic, from South Shields , recorded 35 years’ service.
The most vivid memory of his career was of a night shift when he received a 999 call for a woman in labour.
He said: “You can imagine my shock when I arrived and the patient was my wife, Maureen.
“Thankfully, we got to the maternity ward on time before the baby arrived.”
Daryen Lemmon, a paramedic team leader, who works from Monkton Ambulance Station in Jarrow, also clocked up 20 years of duty.
He remembers his first day with fondness, saying he was very excited, but apprehensive.
He has noticed a difference in how the public use the emergency service.
Mr Lemmon, from Newcastle, said: “I think the ambulance service is unrecognisable from the service it was 20 years ago.
“The levels of activity is phenomenal. People call for the most bizarre, unnecessary things now.”
Mr Sherlock added: “It was a great honour for me to present the medals and certificates.
“This is a remarkable service and I am honoured to give staff heartfelt thanks on behalf of the communities they serve.”
As first seen on the Shields Gazette – http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/health/service-says-thanks-to-paramedics-1-4996345
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