A member of the IW Ambulance Service has been awarded the prestigious King’s Ambulance Medal (KAM) at a recent ceremony in London.
Louise Walker, Head of Education & Community Response for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is one of a small select group of people in the country to be recognised in this way.
Louise was announced in the King’s New Year Honours List and has been recognised for her exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit and conduct in her role within the IOW Ambulance Service.
Receiving her medal from Anne, Princess Royal at a recent ceremony held at Windsor Castle, Louise said:
“It was an absolute pleasure. I felt very proud to be wearing the ambulance uniform and to be there representing the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and all the things we believe in and work hard to achieve.
"When receiving that medal, quite honestly, I was just thinking about the teams and people around me because they were the reason why I was there receiving it.
"It was wonderful to be able to share that moment with my family too."
Louise has been instrumental in expanding the availability of public access defibrillators (PADs) across the Island and is known to many of the Island’s schools and businesses through accredited training which Louise and her team deliver.
As part of the services’ campaign to make every child a life saver, in 2022 alone, over 1,000 Island primary school children were taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Louise has also overseen and implemented Responder schemes in an aspiration to improve survival rates from out of hospital cardiac arrest.
Scott has been a Community First Responder for six years.
He said:
“Getting to patients as quickly as possible is paramount to preserve life, prevent worsening, and promote recovery.
"Throughout my years as a Community First Responder, the support, dedication, and professionalism Louise has shown has been second to none.
"The knowledge Louise has is vital to the training she provides to make the scheme a success. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
A huge part of Louise’s role is supporting people after a cardiac arrest, debriefing bystanders, and reuniting survivors with their rescuers.
Victoria White, Director of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service said:
“We are incredibly proud of Louise and all she has achieved, alongside her colleagues, and our amazing volunteers, who together have saved many lives and continue to provide an incredible service for our Island community.
“It is wonderful for Louise and the IW Ambulance Service to be recognised in this way.
"Receiving the King’s Ambulance Medal is very special and Louise and the service as a whole should take a moment to enjoy this recognition.”
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