LIFE-SAVING charity The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has celebrated 2022, which it said was a year of unprecedented firsts.
On January 4, it announced they had officially started providing 24/7 critical care in the North East for the first time.
READ MORE: Great North Air Ambulance Service to start providing 24/7 critical care
Some of the paramedics who work at the charity gave their individual opinions on what made the year so special.
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Paramedic and training manager Jamie Walsh said: "My highlight definitely has to be flying the Jet Suit in the Lake District. Also, providing medical cover on a remote motorcycle adventure in Vietnam. It has been a ridiculous year, the amount everyone has crammed in and the change to the organisation both charity and operations have made it unrecognisable."
Paramedic Gordon Ingram said: "For me, my highlight of the year was gaining our outstanding CQC rating."
Director of operations, Andy Mawson, said: "Our CQC rating for sure. And, the recruitment process to deliver 24/7 care across the whole region started this year too. That’s massive for me. I'd mention my Jet Suit flight but I only went about 10 metres before Jamie got all the flying!"
Paramedic Hollie Smith said: "For me, it’s graduating and starting GNAAS in Jan. Also, passing my sign off in July then getting engaged in October. It’s been a whirlwind of a year."
Paramedic Lee Salmon said: "Seeing all the new docs, new paramedics, pilots and dispatchers all join the team. Seeing them all learn and adapt and have direct impact on some significant cases. Seeing everyone reflect, adapt and move forward as a single team with a united goal – it’s been amazing."
Paramedic Andy Dalton said: "My highlight of the year has been our drive towards 24/7 care and seeing some new operational staff arrive and settle in very well."
Paramedic Jake Gunn said: "Getting through sign-off has definitely been a highlight as well as helping out on courses, and working with lots of new people. That, and getting over the finish line on the Great North Run dressed in the mascot costume."
Paramedic Marcus Johnson said: "Our work on the Isle of Man has been a really turning point this year."
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