Behind the scenes with clinical: Ash Richardson

Welcome to our first ‘behind the scenes’ feature in Need to Know!

Each week ‘behind the scenes’ is going to showcase individuals and teams from across the Trust to tell you a bit more about who they are and what they do. First up, we’re talking to our new area clinical leads – and this week we’re introducing Ash, who has clinical responsibilities in Beds, Herts and Cambs.

Q: Congratulations Ash on your new role! For those who don’t know you, tell us a bit about yourself.

A: I joined the Trust in 2003 whilst studying a Paramedic Sciences degree with the University of Hertfordshire supported by EEAST, registering as a Paramedic in 2006. After working at Peterborough, St Ives, Huntingdon and St Neots and undertaking some clinical team leader secondments, I took the helm of the Bedford Education and Training Centre as the Clinical Learning and Development Manager. Following this I worked as a Clinical Operations Manager in east and north Hertfordshire.  Since then I have been lucky enough to work as a Clinical General Manager on secondment in Hertfordshire, and have also spent some seconded away from EEAST working in one of our CCGs.

When working for EEAST I am a Critical Care Paramedic and outside of my EEAST role I work with Magpas Air Ambulance Charity and for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh as an examiner. I am also a HCPC panel member where I sit on Paramedic panels of the Fitness to Practice Committees.

Q: The area clinical lead is a new role starting this year – what are you most looking forward to focusing on?

A: The development of the service that we deliver and the development of our profession. There is a very real opportunity to revolutionise the wider healthcare system that we work within, and the ambulance service (and paramedics) are a key part of that. We should always strive to improve and deliver high quality care whilst making sure that we are consistent and equitable in the care that we provide.

Q: What are you hoping to bring to your area?

A: I really want to bring clinical quality back to the forefront of what we do.  EEAST does some amazing things - each day our people deliver high quality care to c.2,400 emergency calls. Our staff are truly valuable; and with strong, passionate leadership we can continuously improve in all aspects of care that we deliver and develop our people.

I am also an active listener and very approachable – I want a culture where any member of staff feels that they are supported and can access support and guidance from the clinical team.  Either directly or via our team email: clinical.leads@eastamb.nhs.uk.  We can also be followed on twitter @EEAST_ACL

Q: And finally, tell us something people might not know about you.

A: I’m secretly a geek; my teenage years were spent restoring old commercial vehicles like fire engines, military trucks, trains and buses. But now the most exciting thing I drive is a Skoda!

Published 8th December, 2015