Sir Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has called on the Government to ensure that all air ambulance staff are eligible for a Platinum Jubilee Medal.
On Thursday, 24th March, the MP for South Staffordshire asked the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in a written Parliamentary question ‘if she will update the criteria for a Platinum Jubilee Medal to ensure that air ambulance staff who do not have NHS ambulance trust service are still eligible for the award.’
The Platinum Jubilee Medal will be awarded to serving frontline emergency workers to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to act as a symbol of the nation’s thanks to their steadfast service.
However, only air ambulance staff who have NHS ambulance trust service are currently eligible for a Platinum Jubilee Medal.
Sir Gavin said: “Air ambulance crews go above and beyond saving lives in the most difficult of conditions. Technicalities should not prevent the fantastic air ambulance community from receiving the recognition they so rightly deserve, and I hope the Secretary of State acts swiftly to ensure these crews are not left out.”
Simmy Akhtar, CEO of Air Ambulances UK, said: “The air ambulance community across the UK work tirelessly to care for patients who have unfortunately suffered a sudden traumatic injury or a medical emergency. Teams responded quickly and adapted their services so that they could continue to provide lifesaving care to patients throughout the pandemic alongside supporting the NHS with the frontline Covid-19 response.
“To be excluded in the award of the Platinum Jubilee Medal on a technical point is a huge injustice to air ambulance emergency first responders and we would welcome a reversal of this decision.”
