5 September 2024

We are pleased to announce that they have been shortlisted for the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024. The Ambulance Service’s Volunteer Community First Responders team have been shortlisted for The Volunteer Award.

The NHS Parliamentary Awards were created in 2018 to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contribution of staff, volunteers and others working in the health and care sector. In the first stage of the awards, MPs nominate healthcare teams and individuals in their local area to highlight their exceptional commitment and achievements working in and with the NHS.

The Volunteer Community First Responders going forward to the final round of the awards is a particular achievement this year, with 318 MPs across England putting forward 918 nominations – a far greater number than in any previous year. Isle of Wight NHS Trust is grateful to Richard Quigley MP for nominating the Volunteer Community First Responders to recognise their contribution to the Isle of Wight.

There are ten award categories this year which cover innovation and exceptional care right across the breadth of healthcare services. Volunteers have supported patients and staff in the NHS since its creation, doing everything from sitting with patients who are anxious or alone, to helping to provide life-saving support after a cardiac arrest. This award recognises the crucial role of volunteers in improving our health and care.

This award is for an individual, team or organisation that has supported local health and care services. This could be through:

  • Providing additional support and advice to patients;
  • Helping to ensure people have as high a quality of life as possible;
  • Helping to keep people healthy and well;
  • Helping to reduce inequalities;
  • Helping staff working in health and care.

Louise Walker KAM, Head of Education & Community Response, Isle of Wight Ambulance Service said: “We are immensely proud of our team of over 40 volunteer community first responders for being shortlisted as finalists for the 2024 NHS Parliamentary Awards. They play a crucial role in our community, providing life saving skills and compassionate care. They are hugely valued for everything they do by our patients and staff.”

Scott Fisher, Volunteer Community First Responder said: “Being able to support our local community by providing life support in the event of a life threatening medical emergency is a really rewarding role. We are delighted to have been nominated and shortlisted for this award and to be recognised for the support we provide to our ambulance colleagues as well as the public.”

A panel of national judges – made up of notable figures across the healthcare sector – will now come together to select the winners of this year’s awards. These winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on Monday 14 October 2024 – when healthcare leaders, finalists and MPs will come together to celebrate the immense contribution which healthcare staff make to the NHS.