Charity leader in line for award

A lead paramedic at Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) has been nominated for a national honour.

John Pritchard, 48, from Crieff, is one of three finalists for the Leader of the Year title at the Scottish Health Awards.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony hosted by broadcaster Fred MacAulay in Edinburgh on Thursday.

John, who has served with the Scottish Ambulance Service since 1995, was nominated for the title by the fellow paramedics at SCAA.

“It’s a huge honour both to be nominated for the award by my colleagues at SCAA and also to be shortlisted by the judges, who include many leading health professionals,” he said.

The former RAF serviceman, who also serves on the board of BASIC Scotland, added: “Being team leader at SCAA since the charity was first launched in 2013 has been a unique and rewarding experience.

“It has 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 has helped earn SCAA such a favourable reputation.”