NWAS Chief Executive, Daren Mochrie has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Health Care (Hon.DHC) from the University of Bolton, at a ceremony held on 7 June.
The University, located in the same town as the trust’s headquarters, presented the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the ambulance and healthcare sector, particularly during the pandemic.
CEO of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) since May 2019, Daren Mochrie also accepted the role as Ambulance Association of Chief Executives (AACE) Chair in August 2020 – representing all ambulance trusts in the UK.
Having worked for the NHS since the age of 17, Daren has extensive experience of managing ambulance services. Daren is a registered paramedic, holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Napier University, Edinburgh and was one of the first paramedics to gain a Diploma in Immediate Medical Care, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh.
In 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Medal (QAM) for distinguished service to the UK NHS Ambulance Service.
Prior to joining NWAS, Daren was Chief Executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb). Previously he had been Director of Operations for the Scottish Ambulance Service and the lead for ambulance provision in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Daren has also held the position of specialist advisor with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), leading several CQC inspections of ambulance trusts in England.
Daren commented;
I am absolutely honoured to accept the doctorate, not only on behalf of myself, but also in recognition of the exceptional challenge faced by ambulance and NHS staff and volunteers during the last 15 months.
This has been an extremely difficult time and throughout, I have been very proud to have worked with some truly remarkable and dedicated people.
This is a real honour and one I am very humbled to receive.