Welsh Ambulance Service colleagues recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Emergency Medical Technician Ian Price has been awarded the Queen's Ambulance Service Medal, while Community First Responder Jack Gibbins has received a British Empire Medal, it was announced on Friday.

The Queen's Ambulance Service Medal, or QAM, is awarded to distinguish exemplary service from ambulance workers in the NHS and reward exceptional devotion to duty.

Meanwhile, volunteer Jack has been awarded a British Empire Medal, or BEM, for his services to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “We’re exceptionally proud that both Ian and Jack have been recognised in such a distinguished way.

“They’re shining examples of colleagues who go above and beyond to be their best and help others, and I’m extremely proud to say that they work for and on behalf of the Welsh Ambulance Service.”

Ian Price

Ian has had a 27-year career with the ambulance service, having first joined the organisation in 1992 as part of its patient transport service before and qualifying as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1997.

The 59-year-old – who is affectionately known by colleagues as ‘Sarge’ – represents the Trust at Cardiff’s annual Remembrance Day parade and also works with a local golf club to organise and deliver free Christmas lunches for his colleagues.

The former Welsh Guard, who has served in Berlin, Northern Ireland and the Falklands, was recently appointed a Trustee at Woody’s Lodge, a social hub for members of the Armed Forces community which also helps with practical support.

He’s also a keen fundraiser, and has raised thousands of pounds over the years for the Velindre Cancer Centre and Wales Air Ambulance charity.

Jason said: “Ian’s a stalwart of this organisation who is as much-loved by patients as he is by staff.

“The welfare of colleagues is Ian’s passion, and he regularly goes the extra mile to ensure that their health and wellbeing is taken care of, doing much of this important work in his own time.

“Ian is a credit to this organisation, and we’re over the moon that he’s been awarded the prestigious QAM.”

Jack Gibbins

Meanwhile Jack, of Llanelli, has volunteered as a Community First Responder for the Welsh Ambulance Service since 2011.

The 27-year-old, who is also a National Operations Officer for St John Ambulance Cymru, also worked for a brief spell as a 999 call handler in Llangunnor, where he met his now wife Emily, also a call handler.

Jason said: “As an ambulance service, we depend hugely on the contribution of our volunteer first responders, come rain or shine, and never more so than during the pandemic.

“Jack is not only helping to save lives in his local community, but he’s an integral link between the Welsh Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance Cymru, who’s had an instrumental role in supporting the recruitment and training of St John volunteers into Community First Responders.

“I’d like to congratulate Jack on his OBE, and extend an enormous thanks for his commitment, particularly through the pandemic.”

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2020 awards 1,495 honours to people across the UK for their outstanding contributions to society.

Publication of the list, which was agreed before the pandemic took hold in the UK, was postponed in June so that individuals who played crucial roles in the first months of the outbreak could be added.

Ian was one of four recipients of the Queen's Ambulance Service Medal.

Paul Henry, Deputy Director of Operations Support at East of England Ambulance Service, Richard Marlow, a Paramedic and Lead Manager for the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service at South Western Ambulance Service, and Elizabeth Coulter, Ambulance Service Area Manager in Northern Ireland, were the other three recipients.

Among the other Welsh emergency service colleagues recognised are Carl Foulkes, Chief Constable of North Wales Police, who has been awarded a Queen’s Police Service Medal.

Meanwhile, St John Ambulance Cymru’s Mathew Hill, of Newport, has also been awarded an OBE for services to the charity.