‘The loss of one of our own will be felt deeply’
TRIBUTES AFTER DEATH OF AMBULANCE WORKER
A DEDICATED ambulance worker has died after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19, the service has said.
Maurice Farrelly, who was an ambulance care assistant at Hawkey’s Lane station in North Shields, passed away in hospital in the early hours of Sunday, February 21.
The grandad had worked for the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) for 11 years.
The service has paid tribute to Maurice as a “valued friend and colleague,” and said his loss will be “felt deeply across the Trust”.
Helen Ray, chief executive at NEAS, said: “The loss of one of our own is a loss that will be felt deeply, Maurice was not only a valued colleague but also a friend to many of you and he will be greatly missed.”
NEAS said Maurice was a dedicated driver for Walkergate Park Hospital – a special facility for people with a disability affecting the brain, spinal cord or muscles. This service is described as a lifeline for the hospital’s patients, Maurice provided care within this service that regularly went above and beyond the call of duty.
He worked so closely with the team at Walkergate Park that he was often mistaken as being part of Neurorehabilitation Services team.
Scheduled care operations manager Steve Carr said: “There are numerous examples of how Maurice made a difference to the lives of those at Walkergate Park.
“From the exceptionally caring way he dealt with patients with extremely complex physical, cognitive and behavioural difficulties to the extra work he regularly took on, Maurice was always committed to providing the very best service.”
Maurice worked to gain a deep knowledge of neurological conditions and the associated communication issues and management strategies so he could interact effectively with patients.
He received a Beyond Award in 2017 for the significant impact that his excellent care and approach made to patients.
Maurice had worked for NEAS for 11 years and was a popular member of Hawkey’s Lane station. He was well known within the team for his collection of hats.
Prior to joining the ambulance service, he had worked in the RAF for ten years and also spent nine years serving both the Territorial Army and RAF Reserves.
He is survived by his wife Mary, two children and a grandson.
A spokesperson for NEAS added: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are extended to Maurice’s family, his friends and his colleagues.”