
The Prince of Wales praised paramedics at the inaugural Emergency and Critical Care Conference for being the “adaptable, multiskilled” Swiss Army Knives of frontline healthcare.
Prince William became Patron of the College of Paramedics leading up to the inaugural conference and made a previously unannounced visit to its Birmingham campus to take part in the day’s events.
William met with paramedic leaders at the event and attended two sessions: one on trauma critical care and the other on techniques applicable during search and rescue helicopter missions.
Following the sessions, William gave a short speech drawing on his many meetings with paramedics and the aftermath of tragedies.
William said: “Saving lives is not the only challenge you face. In your role, you are there for people in the most critical and emotional moments, having to display care and skill in highly stressful and often distressing circumstances. Working alongside you in Wales and East Anglia I know the team effort that is required to provide emergency health care, but I also know that at the beginning it is sometimes a lone paramedic. In a car, on a bike, in a helicopter, in an ambulance, on foot.”
He went on to praise paramedics’ abilities to “calm the patient, to listen to their fears, to reassure them that help has arrived, is as important as the subsequent medical intervention,” but can lead to burn out and impact their mental health.
He noted that with the changes in the role of a paramedic, “there is increasingly pressure placed upon your shoulders,” but stressed how vital it is that “you are also there for yourselves and for each other.”
Speaking of his newly-acquired patronage of the College of Paramedics, William said that he was proud to support an organisation “committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and fostering an environment where all paramedics can thrive.”
The College of Paramedics was founded in 2001 and counts over 20,000 members—UK paramedics who are registered to the Health and Care Professions Council, student paramedics and those interested in the profession—in its midst.
The College “has been instrumental in developing the paramedic profession through advocating for professional standards, learning and development, and taking care of paramedics’ mental health and wellbeing,” according to Kensington Palace.
Kensington Palace noted Prince William’s long history working with frontline carers, particularly in the field of mental health support, and his own past as an air ambulance and search and rescue pilot.
The College of Paramedics shared a statement from their Chief Executive, Tracy Nicholls, on their website. Nicholls said: “[Prince William’s] remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of our members and all emergency service personnel align perfectly with our mission to shape the future of the paramedic profession. His unique understanding of the role paramedics play in benefiting society will be instrumental in this partnership. Having his support will undoubtedly raise the profile of our work, and that of our members, and inspire others to join us in making a difference. This is a transformative moment for the College of Paramedics, and we look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead under his patronage.”
In a statement shared on social media, Prince William said that “Paramedics and those in the emergency services are adaptable, multiskilled and crucially, know how to work under pressure.
“Proudly becoming Patron of @ParamedicsUK. It’s been a privilege to spend time today with first responders whose work saves lives day in, day out.”