Newly-appointed specialist clinicians to improve remote care
14.11.25
The Welsh Ambulance Service has made a series of new appointments to improve the care it delivers to patients remotely.
The specialist clinicians will support paramedics and nurses in clinical contact centres to further develop knowledge and confidence to deliver remote clinical consultations, enabling more patients to receive care closer to home.
The appointments are part of the Trust’s ambition to move away from being a traditional ambulance and transport-based service to a trusted provider of the right care, in the right place, every time.
Liam Williams, Executive Director of Quality and Nursing, and lead for remote care, said: “Remote care is a cornerstone of how we’re transforming ambulance services in Wales.
“These appointments build on the expertise already developed in remote care in recent years, not just through nurse and paramedic-led telephone consultations but through remote diagnostic technology, clinical decision support software and working with volunteers in the community.
“This is about using our clinicians’ expertise in smarter ways – building their knowledge and confidence to consider alternatives that improve patient outcomes and maintain independence at home, in the community and through different health board services, ensuring every contact counts.”
Tom Fallon
Tom Fallon is the Trust’s new Specialist Clinical Lead (Respiratory), tasked with improving care for patients with respiratory conditions.
A physiotherapist by profession, Tom is working to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and embed public health interventions much earlier in the patient’s care journey.
He said: “I’m excited to be joining WAST on this journey to enhance the care that respiratory patients receive when accessing our services, both through NHS 111 Wales and 999.
“Each year, we see over 100,000 contacts for breathlessness.
“Until recently, there was limited specialist respiratory input in remote consultations, which presents a real opportunity to support staff in managing respiratory cases, sometimes complex long-standing conditions, with greater confidence.
“My ambition is to embed a holistic approach to respiratory care across our services, working closely with patients and health board partners to develop pathways that ensure access to the right care at the right time.
“I’m also passionate about improving population health through evidence-based interventions like smoking cessation, vaccination and pulmonary rehabilitation.
“NHS 111 Wales offers real opportunities for us to play a part in these areas of health improvement.”
Jade Smallman
Jade Smallman is the Trust’s new Specialist Clinical Lead (Paediatrics).
A paediatric registered nurse by profession, Jade is responsible for planning and delivering changes which will improve the remote care offer for babies, children and young people.
She said: "I’m pleased to bring a paediatric perspective to WAST, supported by ongoing clinical engagement, teaching and research to stay closely aligned with frontline practice.
“Like my speciality colleagues in respiratory, maternity and learning disability, I hope my contribution adds to the depth of expertise within remote clinical decision making.
“My aim is to lead, support, collaborate, and learn across services working together to improve the outcomes, experience and equity for babies, children, young people and their families calling us from across Wales.”
Bethan Jones
Bethan Jones is the Specialist Clinician Remote Care (Maternity).
A midwife by profession, Bethan initially joined the Welsh Ambulance Service in 2023 as Local Safety Champion for Maternity and Neonatal Care.
She is responsible for developing strategies which ensure that pregnant people assessed by 999 and NHS 111 Wales receive safe and effective care and has already led quality improvement projects that have changed ambulance service care both in Wales, and internationally.
Bethan said: “I’m delighted to continue the work that I’ve been doing within WAST.
“Maternity is a low-frequency, high-acuity incident in the pre-hospital setting, and I am committed to ensuring that pregnant women, their babies and families get the right care, right from their first touch point with our services.
“Looking ahead, my focus will be to align with WAST’s ambition to reduce the number of patients in early pregnancy transported to emergency departments and start to think differently and further understand what women in early pregnancy truly want and need from our service.”
Amy Davies
Amy Davies is the newly-appointed Specialist Clinician Remote Care (Learning Disability).
A learning disability registered nurse by profession, Amy brings extensive experience in supporting people with learning disabilities across both community and acute care settings.
She is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to ensure that people with learning disabilities accessing 999 and NHS 111 Wales services receive fair, person-centred and effective care.
Amy’s post was created following feedback from people with learning disabilities, their families and carers about what the Trust can do to both improve care and reduce the impact of stressful episodes of care, which often lead to a trip to hospital that might be avoidable.
Amy said: “I’m passionate about improving the experiences and outcomes of people with learning disabilities when they come into contact with our services.
“Everyone deserves care that recognises their individual needs, communication preferences and rights.
“My focus will be on ensuring that our clinicians have the tools, knowledge and confidence to deliver high-quality, compassionate care wherever and however people access us.”