(Image: Helen Smith Photography)
Thirteen ambulance workers who have spent decades caring for people across the North East have been honoured at a royal recognition ceremony.
Together, the North East Ambulance Service colleagues have clocked up more than 300 years of service.
The Ambulance Service (Emergency Duties) Long Service and Good Conduct ceremony was held at the Grand Hotel Gosforth Park in Newcastle on Wednesday, September 30.
Kev Scollay, chief executive of NEAS, said: "Long service in the ambulance service represents so much more than the number of years someone has worked for us.
"It represents thousands of shifts, countless patients and families supported, difficult moments navigated and the commitment to keep showing up for our communities.
"Today is an opportunity to pause and recognise the incredible contribution made by these colleagues over the course of their careers."
The medals are awarded under Royal Warrant to ambulance personnel with at least 20 years’ service in emergency care.
Those reaching 30 or 40 years’ service also received a bar to wear above their original medal.
Deputy lieutenant Christopher Tearny DL ACF presented the awards on behalf of His Majesty the King.
Mr Scollay said: "Whether working on the frontline, in our emergency operations centres or in other roles supporting patient care, each recipient has played an important part in our service and the communities we serve.
"We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for the knowledge, experience and compassion they continue to bring to NEAS."
This year’s recipients span NEAS roles from emergency crews to control-room staff.
In 2025/26, NEAS health advisers answered more than 1.475 million 999 and NHS 111 calls, supporting more than 56,000 patients by phone.
Emergency crews took more than 298,000 patients to hospital and treated more than 143,000 others in the community.
Rapid response paramedic Paula Slater was among those honoured. She began her career with East Midlands Ambulance Service in 2005 and joined NEAS in 2009.
She qualified as a paramedic in 2014 and has worked on the frontline and in the emergency operations centre.
Ms Slater said: "I genuinely love meeting new patients.
"Every person has a story, and over 20 years I’ve met thousands of people from all walks of life.
"We’re invited into people’s lives at some of their most difficult and vulnerable moments, and I’ve never taken the trust they place in us for granted.
"I’m incredibly proud of what I do, and I always try to treat people as I would want my own family to be treated."
Michael ‘Mik’ Anderson was also honoured after retiring in 2025 following a 40-year NHS career.
Mr Anderson began his ambulance career with Suffolk Ambulance Service in 1985 and later became one of the area’s first paramedics.
He joined NEAS as an advanced practitioner in 2015 and worked in clinical and management roles.
Mr Anderson said: "There have been so many changes over 40 years, but one thing has stayed with me.
"I once showed a local Beaver group the emergency response car and all the equipment we had and asked them what the most important thing was to be as a paramedic.
"A little girl put her hand up and said, ‘To be kind.’
"She was absolutely right.
"After all the training, clinical skills and technology, perhaps the most important thing is simply remembering to be kind."
Mr Scollay said the awards recognised an “extraordinary contribution”.
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He said: "For 20, 30 or 40 years, these colleagues have given their time, skills and commitment to helping others.
"That is an extraordinary contribution, and one that deserves to be recognised and celebrated.
"On behalf of everyone at NEAS, thank you for your service, your dedication and everything you continue to do for our patients and communities."