Collaboration focus of UK air ambulance conference
The Association of Air Ambulances National Conference is set to take place in November, and the focus of the sessions will be collaboration.
The keynote speaker is mental health campaigner Jonny Benjamin MBE, who became well known in 2014 when he launched a social media campaign to try and help find the man who had stopped him from committing suicide.
Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change, meanwhile, will give a presentation on the theme of a change in leadership, while Nicola Tallet, Director of Engagement at Oxfam, will talk about disaster management. Kirsty McQueen will be joined by Sarah Atkins of East Anglian Air Ambulance in what is set to be an emotional presentation on ‘The McQueen Charter’ and the importance of effectively addressing one’s mental health and wellbeing. Kirsty’s husband Carl was an air ambulance doctor who committed suicide in 2016. Over the course of last year, Kirsty and Sarah have worked closely on the initiative which has been inspired by Carl’s death and could save many lives.
Patrick Peal, Chair of AAA and Liz Campbell, Chair of Air Ambulances UK will join together to explain how both organisations are collaborating more than ever, whilst representatives from the Care Quality Commission are also set to present.
The Air Ambulance National Conference is open to all members and non-members. It aims to inspire, inform and incite debate, providing a platform for the industry to come together, share ideas and build partnerships.