AN INSPIRING paramedic from Stonehouse has been recognised in the New Year's Honours list. 

Vicki Brown - who has worked as a paramedic for nearly 20 years - has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM).

Vicki currently works as an advanced clinical practitioner in critical care for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) as well as the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC).

She has dedicated her last 17 years of service to working on air ambulances in the region, most recently, GWAAC which she joined in 2012.

Vicki has been described by the South Western Ambulance Service as "working tirelessly” to improve patient care for those critically ill and injured across the region. 

On receiving the award, Vicki said: “I feel very honoured and humbled to receive this award. 

“I am proud to be a paramedic and will continue to work to progress the profession as best I can.”

Stroud News and Journal: Vicki Brown from Stonehouse has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) Vicki Brown from Stonehouse has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Service Medal (KAM) (Image: South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust)

As part of her work, Vicki has developed a system so that paramedic practitioners can carry and administer blood at the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. 

This means that patients can now receive blood products earlier in their treatment, if needed.

Vicki was also the first person from a purely paramedic background to obtain the Fellowship in Immediate Medical Care. 

As a result, she has become accredited as a consultant practitioner in pre-hospital emergency medicine with the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care.

She has also been chosen to chair a main subgroup by NHS England to improve the clinical response to major incidents following the recommendations of the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

Vicki’s honour has been also welcomed by her colleagues at the NHS and the GWAAC.

Philip Cowburn MBE, Medical Director at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, who nominated Vicki for the award, said: “Vicki has dedicated her career to advancing paramedic practice and delivering improved prehospital patient care. 

“She remains an example to all, acting as a superb role model and inspirational frontline clinical leader.”

Tim Ross-Smith, Operations Officer, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, said: "Everyone at GWAAC is hugely proud of Vicki and everything she has achieved in her career. 

“She is rightly deserving of this honour and we couldn't be happier for her."

Vicki will collect the King’s Ambulance Service Medal later in the year.