Welsh Ambulance Service stalwart recognised in King's Birthday Honours List
14.06.24
A Welsh Ambulance Service stalwart has been recognised in His Majesty the King’s Birthday Honours List.
Mike Jenkins, Consultant Paramedic and Regional Clinical Lead, has been awarded the prestigious King’s Ambulance Service Medal for distinguished service, it was announced tonight.
Last month, Mike, of Cardiff, celebrated 40 years in the ambulance service.
Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “We’re delighted and incredibly proud that Mike has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
“During his lifetime of service, he has remained steadfast in his commitment to improving patient safety, clinical outcomes and the patient’s experience.
“His dedication to develop others and encourage future generations into clinical leadership positions to help achieve the highest standards of care has also been exemplary.
“The Honours List recognises some of our very best ambulance professionals, and on behalf of everyone at Team WAST, I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to Mike.”
Mike joined the ambulance service in 1984 as a Paramedic Supervisor.
He was among the first in the UK to qualify as an Advanced Paramedic Practitioner in 2006 and continues to practice at this level.
In 2016, he became the Trust’s Head of Patient Safety, Concerns and Learning, and a year later, was appointed Regional Clinical Lead in south east Wales.
More recently, Mike has led the development and delivery of new national clinical pathways for patients with stroke, vascular emergencies and respiratory conditions across Wales.
He has also played an instrumental role in the training and education of frontline clinicians.
Andy Swinburn, Executive Director of Paramedicine, said: “Not content with all of this, Mike is also now part of a new project to further improve stroke care in Wales by harnessing video technology.
“There are many colleagues across the Trust and beyond who’ve helped to make this happen but without Mike's dedication and commitment, this work would not have progressed so quickly or comprehensively.
“His contribution in designing and delivering these improvements for patients has been exceptional.”
Meanwhile, retired paramedic Dennis Moss has been made an MBE for his services to the Welsh Ambulance Service and to first aid abroad.
Dennis, of Cardiff, started his career in the Territorial Army 158 Field Ambulance division aged 17 and was inspired to become a paramedic after his involvement in the Aberfan disaster rescue effort in 1966.
He joined South Glamorgan Ambulance Service in 1975 and is believed to have been the first Asian paramedic in Wales.
As a member of the National Ambulance Service BME Committee, Dennis was a trailblazer in the development of the Trust’s first equality and diversity policy.
In 2015, he set up Team India, a group of professionals from across the NHS, ambulance and fire service, to deliver life-saving skills and equipment to communities in India.
In 2022, the group travelled to New Delhi, Amritsar, Darjeeling and Jamshedpur, where Dennis was born, to deliver training to schools, places of worship, police and nursing staff.
Dennis retired in 2016 after more than 40 years of service.
Jason said: “Forty years of ambulance service is no mean feat, and the fact that Dennis is still helping those less fortunate is very commendable.
“A huge congratulations to Dennis on his MBE.”
More than 1,000 people from across the UK have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List.
The focus of this list is individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country, such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.
Many are active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers.