Visit celebrates volunteers who support patients and employees at North East Ambulance Service

By Andrew Coulson
Published 15th Dec 2023, 11:24 BST
Updated 15th Dec 2023, 11:24 BST
Helen Vine visits North East Ambulance Service volunteers.Helen Vine visits North East Ambulance Service volunteers.
Helen Vine visits North East Ambulance Service volunteers.
The North East Ambulance Service’s (NEAS’s) volunteers were recognised for their efforts when a group of them received a visit from Helen Vine, national strategic lead for volunteering at the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.

Recognised as an organisation that invests in volunteers, NEAS has more than 240 volunteers who selflessly dedicate thousands of hours of their time to their communities, playing a vital role in helping the trust deliver high quality patient care.

Last year, NEAS community first responders, porters and ambulance car service drivers transported 90,000 patients to and from hospital appointments covering a total of 3,563,000 miles, they spent 2,500 hours supporting patients to reach the right hospital department or their transport home and attended 576 medical incidents in the community.

She said: “Ambulance volunteers enhance the care that we offer to patients, support our staff and are positive ambassadors for the ambulance service in their communities.”