National body recognises hard work and dedication of Isle of Wight Ambulance Service teams

Recently, Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IWAS) hosted Helen Vine, Assistant Director from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) to see some of the fantastic work taking place by our teams and hear more about the unique challenges faced by operating on an Island. During her time with the team, Helen was able to meet staff and volunteers from across the service including frontline, education, 111, 999 and non-emergency patient transport teams as well as participate in the Trust’s VE Day celebrations.

As part of an integrated Trust alongside Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Helen reflected that IWAS is well placed to test and review new approaches to patient care through its working relationships across the healthcare system including that with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU). Areas of good practice were also identified, which AACE are encouraging the team to share with others nationally.

Helen said, “Understanding population health through conversations with senior leaders and specialist paramedic colleagues gave me a real insight into the health inequalities experienced by the population of 142,000 people, who are the family, friends and neighbours of the staff and volunteers who are so committed to serving their community and getting the best outcomes for patients. It was a pleasure to visit the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to all staff and volunteers for their warm welcome and willingness to share their thoughts and ideas with me.”

During her visit, Helen also had the opportunity to observe a multi-disciplinary maternal and newborn emergency simulation exercise to help support and train staff within Ambulance and Maternity Services. Helen added, “Everyone taking part demonstrated excellent patient care, as well as embracing the opportunity for learning and development.”

Isle of Wight NHS Trust were remembering VE Day during her time on the Island with staff member Alan’s wonderfully restored Piccadilly Lily NAAFI tea wagon providing tea and cake for those who took part in the day and observed a two-minute silence.

Victoria White, Director of Ambulance Service at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said, “It was great to welcome Helen to the Isle of Wight and give her the opportunity to experience first-hand insight into the unique challenges of delivering ambulance services in an island setting, as well as the opportunities this environment presents for innovation and integrated care. We are very proud of the work we are doing here and know there is more we can be doing, so welcome the support offered by AACE and Helen in helping us to continue improving and promote what we are doing well to others.”