The Education Centre of the National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) has become the first ambulance organisation ever to win a prestigious Special Achievement Award at the eighth annual Advancing Healthcare Awards ceremony in London.
The UK Awards, for allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and those who work alongside them, are supported by NHS England, Health Education England, NHS Employers and the Allied Health Professionals Federation, among others.
They recognise and reward projects and professionals that lead innovative healthcare practice and make a real difference to patients’ lives in the healthcare science and allied health professions.
Upon receiving details of the NARU Education Centre award entry the judges took the extraordinary step of creating a new Special Achievement Award category for the NARU Education Centre as they were so impressed by the realism and innovation of the education delivered, to prepare staff for some of the most challenging mass casualty incidents they may face.
NARU Stakeholder Engagement Lead Carl Rees was at the Awards Ceremony in Central London on Friday 11th April 2014. He said:
“The room was packed with some real high-flyers from the healthcare world and there were some truly innovative category winners throughout the day.
“However, I would not be exaggerating to say that when a short film showing a NARU training exercise was played to the audience, they appeared overwhelmed – stunned into silence almost, followed by a spontaneous standing ovation of over 200 people as the NARU team went up to collect their award.”
Even the Awards compere – well known NHS commentator and writer Roy Lilley – was temporarily lost for words saying, “Ambulance staff who are able to deal with patients in those kind of chaotic environments really deserve our praise and thanks.”
NARU Director Keith Prior commented:
“This is excellent recognition for NARU and for the wider ambulance service and shows the diversity of the ambulance role and the dedication of front line staff. It also proves that our training is certainly realistic!”
Head of NARU Education Dave Bull QAM, added:
“As ever, I am extremely proud of my team and delighted on behalf of NARU to win this prestigious award. You don’t really see many ambulance staff at awards ceremonies so it was particularly refreshing to receive some acknowledgement for the dedication shown by the service as a whole. Hopefully this has raised the profile of the work we are doing at NARU further, and reminds the wider NHS the important role we play.”
Click here for more details on the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2014.