McQueen Charter wins Liz Sizer Award for supporting HEMS staff wellbeing

The McQueen Charter, an initiative co-designed by East Anglian Air Ambulance to help helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) support the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce, has received a Liz Sizer Award. These awards recognize individuals and teams making a significant difference to the mental health of healthcare professionals across the UK.

Named for Dr Carl McQueen, who worked in the air ambulance community and died by suicide in 2016, the Charter offers employers a practical framework to improve workplace culture, signposting, and support. Although designed for HEMS providers, its creators say most of it can be applied in any organization.

The project was led by Sarah Atkins, formerly of East Anglian Air Ambulance, and Dr McQueen’s wife, Kirsty McQueen Mornington, with contributions from crew and ground staff. The guide outlines achievable steps for creating open environments where staff feel able to discuss mental health, from encouraging reflection on workplace practices to promoting mental health first aid training.

Atkins said the Charter provided “practical advice and guidance to realize what is needed to support organizations to support staff” and added she was “just so grateful to have played a small part in helping Carl’s family carry on his legacy”.

McQueen Mornington said she was “deeply touched” by the recognition, adding that the award “honors not just the Charter’s mission, but Carl’s unfailing commitment to the belief that we are all capable of making a difference”.

The pair accepted the award at the Liz Sizer Gala held at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, on 22 November. The awards are organized by You Okay, Doc?, a UK charity focused on mental health support for healthcare professionals.