Life savers respond to winning top award
Volunteer group lifts prestigious trophy at ceremony
A group of Forth Valley volunteers have scooped a top health award.
The Forth Valley First Responders have been recognised at the annual Scottish Health Awards, winning the prestigious Volunteer Award.
The Volunteer Award is for an individual, group or team who give up their free time to help improve the health and wellbeing of patients, carers and service users of NHS services in Scotland.
The Forth Valley team comprises of 17 regular volunteers who provide care and support to patients and their families throughout the region following serious or immediately life-threatening incidents.
They are also involved in CPR training and fundraising activities to support their scheme.
Aaron Smith, from the volunteer group, said: “It was fantastic to be recognised as a finalist in the Scottish Health Awards. The category was extremely strong and the finalists were all worthy of being at the event. We were over the moon when we were announced as joint winners in the volunteer category.”
Scottish Ambulance Service National Community Resilience Manager, Murray McEwan, said: “This is a great achievement for the Forth Valley First Responders and it’s wonderful to see their hard work and dedication recognised at the Scottish Health Awards. Community first responder schemes are a vital part of the service and help us to save many lives across Scotland by providing support in the crucial early minutes before an ambulance arrives.”
Pauline Howie, chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “I’m delighted to see a broad cross section of the service recognised at the Scottish Health Awards this year. The delivery of high quality clinical care by our staff and volunteers is right at the heart of what we do. The fact that we are saving more lives than ever before, treating more patients at home where they want to be cared for, and improving staff experience, in the context of rising demand and patient expectations, is testament to the care, compassion and dedication of our staff and volunteers.”
The volunteer group picked up the award at a ceremony held in Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange last week.