Chopper medic John on awards shortlist
John Pritchard A Crieff paramedic has been shortlisted for a national honour.
John Pritchard (48) is one of three finalists for the leader of the year title at the Scottish Health Awards.
He is lead paramedic with Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Fred MacAulay in Edinburgh on November 2.
John, who has served with the Scottish Ambulance Service since 1995, was nominated for the award by the other paramedics at SCAA.
He said: “It’s a huge honour, both to be nominated for the award by my colleagues and also to be shortlisted by the judges, who include many leading health professionals.
“Being team leader at SCAA since the charity was launched in 2013 has been a unique and rewarding experience.
“It’s been a different and challenging role for those of us who converted from land ambulances to a helicopter but the knowledge, skills and understanding we have all gained has been phenomenal.
“It’s an absolute privilege to work with the amazing team of men and women who have served as paramedics with SCAA over the past four years and it’s been their vision, professionalism and enthusiasm which have helped us earn such a favourable reputation with both the public and our fellow emergency services.
“I’m delighted to be a finalist in the Scottish Health Awards and really touched that my fellow paramedics have nominated me for such an honour.”