This week, seven colleagues from the North East Ambulance Service were awarded
The Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct Medal goes to frontline emergency care employees for their dedication to their roles. The medal is given to ambulance staff who have been in frontline emergency care services for more than 20 years.
These medals are issued under Royal Warrant and this event is still known as the Queen’s Medal as it is for those who completed their 20-year service during the late Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.
The Lord-Lieutenant, Lucy Winskell, said: “I’m delighted to be able to present the Queen’s medal to such worthy individuals. These individuals have demonstrated hard work, commitment and sometime acts of great courage and bravery over very many years.”
Chief executive, Helen Ray said: “We are honoured to be able to host these presentation events 
“For many, this isn’t just a job, it’s a vocation and it’s a privilege to see the incredible work they have done and will continue to do. They are an asset to the organisation so thank you to each of you.”
The Queen's Medal is a richly deserved honour for the men and women from NEAS who have worked on the frontline.
Congratulations to those who received the Queen’s medal.
Stephen Segasby
Stephen Segasby, originally from Huddersfield but lives in Haydon Bridge, 
Stephen has worked in a variety of clinical and managerial roles within UK ambulance services during his 20 years’ service before taking the role as chief operating officer at North East Ambulance Service.
Stephen said: “I have several special memories over the years. I have really enjoyed helping patients and staff in equal measure, I have been privileged to work with a number of amazing people who deliver the best care possible in very difficult circumstances. I have been part of some fantastic teams who go the extra mile to help each other to deliver the very best care to patients.
“I have been fortunate to be able to attend many long service awards to show my respects to so many people who have given so much of their lives to helping others. I am always in awe of the longest serving members of the ambulance sector and being able to personally recognise so many people is a standout memory for me.
“But inspiring my daughter to also become part of the family and seeing her become an experienced clinician, despite me trying to put her off, always makes me proud.
“Receiving the medal is a great honour. Joining the ambulance service was a huge career shift for me - I simply wanted to help people. I have had the privilege to work in three different organisations and fate has brought me to the North East which is a place I love and now call home. Being recognised for the efforts I have made over that time is fantastic and I can honestly say I would not change a thing.”
Thomas David Stephenson
Thomas, known as Davy from Darlington, is a paramedic development and education lead at 
Thomas began his career as an emergency mechanic technician with Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service in 2003 based at Middlesbrough station. He then went on to train as a paramedic at Earls House with NEAS just after the merge. He then became a paramedic mentor whilst working operationally supporting students with their operational practice. In 2015, he became a clinical education officer at the training school at Dukesway, Gateshead for NEAS before becoming education development lead in 2024.
Davy said: “I have been working within the education team for 9 years and during this time I have developed prehospital trauma education, simulation and many CPD and core programmes of education. I am the chapter lead and European representative for international trauma life support and have been fortunate to be a part of the team to become prehospital trauma world champions twice.
“More recently I have led on the development of the paramedic apprenticeship once the programme was approved and have taught the first ever cohort through all three years, I am really proud of seeing them graduate this year.
“Overall being able to use my paramedic experience to support and develop students from the beginning of their courses and seeing them graduate and qualify is one of the things that brings me the biggest sense of achievement.
“I am extremely proud to receive this and is an acknowledgement of time served within the NHS and with a national service with the monarch crown within our badge. Still being able to respond to patients and support colleagues to develop their skills and knowledge to support patients within the community we serve.”
Gail Savage
Gail is a clinical team leader at the Stanley station at North East Ambulance Service and started 
She joined as an advanced technician and qualified as a paramedic in 2006. She moved into the clinical care manager role in 2017 and became clinical team leader in 2022.
Gail said: “I have worked with some amazing people throughout the 21 years at NEAS, special memories - from the rapport that you build with your crew mates, the highs and the lows, the tears and the laughter. No two days are ever the same and the unending support you receive from your colleagues.
“This medal is an acknowledgement of my service to the public of the North East and for the sacrifices we all make working for an emergency service.”
Kevin Cook
Kevin started his career in July 2003 at Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service in
“I have very fond memories of my time as a paramedic due to having an excellent crew mate, Tom. It felt like there wasn’t anything we couldn’t manage due to working together as a team.
“I am very grateful for the recognition and being award the medal for my 20 years’ service.”
Ray Burns
Ray is locality manager at Blucher station at North East Ambulance Service (NEAS). He started his
He became a paramedic in 1995 then moved onto become a relief paramedic on the Air Support Unit for three years before leaving NEAS in 2001 to work as a lecturer at Newcastle college before returning to NEAS in 2002.
I returned to the emergency operations centre (EOC) as a then duty controller (the role now is known as a duty manager) and held various roles within the EOC until I returned to operations in September 2012 as an assistant operations manager (AOM) and now works as locality manager for Blucher station.
Ray said: “I have so many stories, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, sadly some involving our own colleagues, but I hold many fantastic stories. The absolute stand out without a shadow of a doubt are the people of NEAS, way too many stories to tell but I must admit, being a locality manager is a bit special. Helping patients is a real privilege but helping to support my colleagues who are having the toughest of times and seeing them get back to work and happy again takes some beating mind.
“I am immensely proud of what the ambulance service does and pleased to finally receive my medal.”
Darryn Cumpson
Darryn is a paramedic at Weardale ambulance station and started his career in March 2003 
He started his career as an ambulance technician with London Ambulance Service before qualifying as a paramedic. Darryn moved to NEAS as a paramedic working for Chester-Le-Street ambulance station before moving to Weardale station.
Darryn said: “I’m proud that I have worked on the frontline for over 20 years and this medal is recognition of this work.”
Ian Davidson
Ian started working in emergency services in February 1999 on Patient Transport Service. 
Ian said: "I have too many good memories to pick out just one but along the way, I have met some good people. I am extremely proud to receive this medal and after doing a total of 45 years i the health service, this is great recognition."