Magpas Air Ambulance celebrates International Paramedics Day

The second annual International Paramedics Day was held on 8 July and the theme was ‘what paramedics do’, to show the diversity of roles paramedics have and the breadth and depth of their jobs.

The Chief Executive of the College of Paramedics, Tracy Nicholls OBE, said: “Last year’s International Paramedics Day was a real celebration of the profession coming together from all over the world to reveal why they were proud to be paramedics. But this year, the message is clear: being a paramedic is a versatile, multifaceted and diverse profession which has grown exponentially in the last decade. It’s time people recognized, understood and appreciated that.”

Magpas Air Ambulance – which provides critical care services across Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire in the UK – showcased the work of its paramedics to mark the day.

On every shift, the medical team is made up of a doctor and critical care paramedic. The clinical team members work at the same level while responding to emergencies, taking it in turns to lead on each mission.

All of its paramedics have extensive training prior to joining the service, but when they join the charity, they receive pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM) training to provide the best possible care someone can receive outside of a hospital.

“Our team of paramedics have trained and worked in the field for many years to reach the highest level they can, ensuring they give patients across the East of England the very best critical care, saving lives 24/7,” said Natalie Church, Magpas Air Ambulance Director of Operations. “They’re advocates for not only the charity – regularly helping out with fundraising events and raising awareness of the service we provide – but also examples of where a career as a paramedic can take you and what you can achieve in the role. Every one of our critical care paramedics gives their all to not only this charity, but to the profession as a whole, and we’re excited to be able to use International Paramedics Day to highlight the incredible work they do every single day.”