East of England Ambulance Service celebrates 20th anniversary

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust formed in 2006

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) has celebrated two decades since its formation.

On Wednesday, July 1, the Trust marked 20 years since it was first established through the merger of three services: Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust, East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust, and Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Simon Chase, Chief Paramedic and Director of Quality at EEAST – who witnessed the 2006 merger first-hand – has worked for the ambulance service for more than 30 years.

He said: “The ambulance service has changed significantly over the past 20 years and continues to evolve, adapt and improve. What has remained constant is the dedication of our staff in serving their communities, many of whom… have devoted decades to the ambulance service and experienced its transformation first-hand.”

One person who has been part of that journey from the very beginning is paramedic Brent Sylvester. Now a Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officer (HALO), Brent transferred from Essex Ambulance Service at the time of the merger.

He said: “I love the job today as much as I did when I first started with the Essex Ambulance Service in 1986. You experience both wonderful and difficult moments, but that is all part of the role. Making a difference to patients’ lives, at some of the best and worst times, is incredibly rewarding.”

Brent admitted he had seen much change over the course of his working life: “The ambulance service has changed so much during my career, and the care we provide today is more advanced than ever and continues to improve.”

Since 2006, EEAST has worked in close partnership with the region’s three air ambulance charities: East Anglian Air Ambulance, Magpas Air Ambulance and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance:

Dr Simon Lewis MBE, Executive Medical Director of Magpas said: “EEAST isn’t simply a partner to Magpas Air Ambulance, they’re part of the foundation on which everything we do is built. Operating alongside EEAST crews every single day, our partnership runs far deeper than shared geography; at every level of our organisations, we share a common goal of improving outcomes for patients by providing outstanding pre-hospital care 24/7.

“As EEAST marks this milestone, Magpas Air Ambulance is proud to be part of its story.”