Prestigious national award for Guernsey paramedic

Kelly Marquis, Specialist Preventative Care Paramedic at St John Ambulance & Rescue Service has received a prestigious national award in recognition of her outstanding contribution and commitment to Guernsey’s ambulance and health services and her  positive impact on local patients and the community.

The ‘Exceptional Paramedic’ award was presented at the Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF), a national ambulance sector event organised by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), which was held at Celtic Manor, South Wales between 02-03 October 2023.

Kelly’s work is a partnership between St John Ambulance & Rescue Service and Guernsey’s Committee for Health & Social Care. Part of the project includes a health review scheme for islanders when they reach their 80^th birthday, known as ‘Cake and Consultation’ which promotes physical health and wellbeing, and supports independence and safety at home. The project aims to address any concerns while they are in their infancy, before they escalate.

Mark Mapp, CEO of St John Ambulance & Rescue Service said: Kelly’s dedication and outstanding performance in preventative care have earned her this well-deserved national recognition, and we couldn’t be prouder. This partnership project has benefitted patients who have received individualised clinical advice, lifestyle support and provision of equipment to improve health and wellbeing. The feedback from our community has been extremely positive.”Dr Lynda Potter, Associate Director, Community Health & Social Care said: ‘With an ageing population the broad aim of Kelly’s post is to provide proactive interventions for people as they age, particularly those with frailty, or those at risk of becoming frail. Kelly has succeeded in her role and perhaps the best testimony is from those people who she has made a difference to.

Here are some comments froma few of

Kelly’s patients:

“Anyone who saw Kelly would have the best experience of health care”

“I very much want to stay independent for as long as possible.  This service helps me to do that.  Prevention is better and cheaper than cure”

“To know that one can get in touch with the Adult Community Services if one needs help or advice as one gets older, makes me feel better.”

Anna Parry, Managing Director of AACE said: “The AACE outstanding service awards give ambulance trusts the opportunity to pay tribute to one member of staff from each of our seventeen member services who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their work during the past year.

Whether they are front line clinicians, control centres operatives, volunteers or working in support teams, this year’s recipients have really done themselves, their patients and their colleagues proud, with each person highly deserving of this recognition by their peers.”

Established in 2006 and hosted by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), the Ambulance Leadership Forum (ALF) is the only annual event designed specifically for senior leaders across the UK ambulance sector. This highly respected annual conference and showcasing event brings together board members, managers, NHS system leaders, politicians, academics, and health & social care partners with key suppliers who have a direct interest in improving the UK ambulance sector