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Ambulance staff added to Royal Order

TWELVE Welsh Ambulance Service staff who also volunteer their time to St John Ambulance Cymru have been given a prestigious accolade by Royal appointment.

The dedicated medics have all been added as Members to the Order of St John on approval of the Her Majesty the Queen.

Founded in 1888 by Queen Victoria and known officially as the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, the Order is a recognition of chivalry for those who have acted to enhance the health and wellbeing of people anywhere in the world.

Nominations for addition as a Member to the Order are made by senior officers of St John and are sent to Buckingham Palace for approval by Her Majesty the Queen.

Among the dozen is Stephanie Vale, 43 of Newport, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for the Welsh Ambulance Service and also a Deputy Training Manager in Cardiff and Vale for St John Ambulance Cymru.

Stephanie said: “I started as a regular member with St John three years ago and quickly built up a rapport with all the staff and was given the chance to become a Divisional Officer.

“I have now become a Deputy Training Manager and since January have also been with the Welsh Ambulance Service as a newly-qualified EMT.

“I’ve been out on the road for four weeks now and I absolutely love it.”

Stephanie, who previously worked in the tele-communications industry has been a loyal volunteer building up around 600 hours in her first year helping to cover events such as rugby matches, plus all the training required.

Since January, she has clocked-up an impressive 150 hours whilst also completing her EMT training at the ambulance service.

Stephanie added: “I’ve no idea who put me forward, but I am really honoured.”

Another member of Welsh Ambulance staff named as an addition to the Order is EMT and Community First Responder Leighton Thomas-Burnett, 40, of Ystradmynach.

Leighton, a husband and father-of-one, said of his addition to the Order: “I was quite overwhelmed really.

“Working full-time in the ambulance service, being with St John and also being a Community First Responder, it’s something I just do.

“The first I knew was when a letter landed on the door mat.

“It’s nice to be recognised but I don’t do it for that.

“It’s like a hobby that’s turned into a career for me.”

Leighton certainly keeps himself busy in the medical response world and is a Divisional Officer for St John and also their County Induction Officer for Gwent.

He continued: “Running a division that meets every Monday night and having a building to look after, this recognition is also for my long-suffering family as when there are events on I can disappear for a couple of days and they have to crack on without me really.”

Richard Paskell MBE, Chief Volunteer for St John Ambulance Cymru, said: “We are proud of all our volunteers around the world and are pleased to welcome this year’s addition of Members to the Order of St John.

“They have all demonstrated admirable compassion and dedication through the most difficult of years for us all.

“We congratulate them all and look forward to watching them progress and continue to work towards the physical, mental and spiritual health of everybody in Wales.”

Director of Operations for Welsh Ambulance Service, Lee Brooks QAM said: “This is a fantastic achievement for these colleagues and one which highlights the dedication and compassion amongst those we are so fortunate to have with us here at the Welsh Ambulance Service.

“It is also testament to the great relationship and rich history we share with St John Ambulance Cymru.

“I know we are both very proud of our people who strive daily to safeguard the health of people in Wales.”

The full list of Welsh Ambulance staff added as Members to the Order of St John this year is:

  • Beth Abbot (Paramedic)
  • Stephen Bowles (Locality Manager)
  • Richard Collyer (EMT)
  • Sam Davies (Community First Responder and NHS nurse)
  • Michael Francis (Paramedic)
  • Henry Garrard (EMT/Student Paramedic)
  • Deian Thomas (Urgent Care Assistant)
  • Leighton Thomas-Burnett (EMT)
  • Stephanie Vale (EMT)
  • Dewi Lloyd (Clinical Team Leader)
  • James Gough (Head of Quality Improvement)
  • Ieuan Healan (Paramedic)