LONDON — Tooting born paramedic Paul Smith, who has dedicated more than 40 years of his life to saving Londoners, has been honoured by HM The Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Smith, who helped saved countless lives in major incidents and played a key part in the capital’s response to the Olympic Games in 2012, was presented with the prestigious Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal.
The award also praised Smith’s continual commitment to patient care and staff progression as part of his role as a sector delivery manager.
“Paul has spent two thirds of his life dedicated to serving the population of London, saving countless lives,” Peter McKenna, Deputy Director of Operations at London Ambulance Service said. “In his first appraisal in 1976, Paul’s supervisor said he would make a ‘good and reliable ambulance man’ More than 40 years later, we can all agree that a truer word has never been spoken.”
Speaking of his award, Smith said: “Starting out in the Service as a young boy from Tooting, I never expected to receive an award from HM the Queen. Over the last 40 years, it has been an honor to work alongside our emergency service family and to see the members of staff I have helped to develop move on to greater things. I’m incredibly humbled to receive such high recognition for my career with the Service.”
The Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal (QAM) honors a very small, select group of ambulance crews and control room staff who have shown exceptional devotion to duty, outstanding ability, merit and conduct in their roles within NHS Ambulance Services.