Have you received outstanding care from someone at North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) that you think deserves to be recognised?
NEAS will be running its annual awards, ‘In the Spotlight’, in June – and is looking for nominations from patients and their families who want to recognise those who have come to their aid.
Nominations are welcome until 31 March. To make a nomination for the Patient Choice Award, visit: https://
The ‘In the Spotlight Awards’ recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of employees who embody the Trust’s vision of ‘unmatched quality of care for every life we touch.’
NEAS employs more than 3,000 people, who touch the lives of thousands of patients across the North East every day in a variety of ways.
NEAS Chief Executive, Helen Ray said: “Our people play a really important role in the lives of North East residents every day.
NEAS is constantly taking calls to 999 and 111, dispatching ambulances, giving advice, and plotting journeys; every day. The teams, altogether, took over 1,407,350 calls in 2023/24 alone, attending 405,072 patient incidents.
In addition, the Trust’s training team at Dukesway train up to 1000 students each year.
Helen Ray said:
“Our frontline crews work in the community, delivering life-saving care to those who need it most, transporting patients to and from their appointments, and responding with specialist training to serious incidents. To many of them, it isn’t “just a job’, our crews truly care about their community.”
Last year, Michael Dobinson, paramedic and Trevor Merry, clinical care assistant at Ryhope were nominated by the family of an elderly patient who they cared for in January 2024.
They showed outstanding teamwork and bonded with the patient, reassuring and informing them every step of the way. Through their positive attitude and friendly demeanour, the team of two were able to get her to agree to go to hospital.
The patient who made the nomination stated: “that their cheerful disposition took all tension out of a very difficult situation.”
Helen continues, “It’s important to us that our people feel valued and recognised for their hard work, and our annual awards ceremony is one of the ways we do this.
“Given our patients are the reason why we are all here, it’s important to us to include the patient voice in our awards. The Patient Choice Award recognises teams or individuals who have made a difference to a patient, their relatives or friends, having clearly demonstrated their passion for putting patient care at the heart of everything they do.”
Stuart Corbridge, Chair of the North East Ambulance Service added:
“Since joining the North East Ambulance Service, I have become convinced that the critical work performed every day by our frontline and operational teams mustn’t be taken for granted; rather, it must be celebrated.
“Our teams care for and help save the lives of family members, friends and neighbours across our region.
“One of the best ways to recognise the work of one of our teams is to propose them for a Patient Choice Award, sharing with us what your experience has been of NEAS staff. Please take the time and make a nomination.”
Nominations close on 31 March. To make a nomination for the Patient Choice Award, visit:
https://